Kosciusko County Soil and Water Conservation District is working with the Kosciusko County Health Department and Tippecanoe Environmental and Lake Watershed Foundation to offer a water-testing program for well owners in the county later this month.
The tests are designed to indicate the presence of nitrates, metals and harmful chemicals in well water.
Health Department Administrator Bob Weaver said the tests can be helpful not only to discover any contaminants in wells in the area, but also to give well owners peace of mind when they find that their wells are clean.
According to Weaver, one of most common contaminants of wells in the county are nitrates. Nitrates, Weaver said, are most harmful to infants who drink formula that has been prepared with the contaminated water.
"We haven't had any cases I can remember of nitrate poisoning in infants," said Weaver, "but, we have had wells with high levels of nitrates on occasion."
Weaver said the presence of nitrates in a well can be a sign of more trouble.
"Nitrates are usually a good indicator if other chemicals are getting into the well," he said. "If you don't have any nitrates, then you probably don't have anything that's more dangerous because nitrates get in rather quickly."
SWCD Director Darci Zolman said this is the third time the SWCD has offered the water-testing program. She said, through the program, the tests are less expensive than testing through private labs.
"They are done at a really reduced cost," Zolman said. "If you want those tests, it's a good time to do it."
Zolman said well owners with shallow wells often participate. Well depth plays a role in keeping a well clean.
"The more shallow a well is, the more potential there is for a problem," she said.
Test kits will be available for pick-up July 14 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Kosciusko SWCD office, 217 E. Bell Drive, Warsaw, or noon to 2 p.m. at the North Webster Community Center. During the week of July 16-20, test kits will be available at the SWCD office or the County Health Department at the Courthouse, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Test kits must be returned July 21 at the SWCD office from 9 a.m. to noon, the North Webster Community Center 10 a.m. to noon, or by 9 a.m. at the SWCD office, July 23.
Zolman said it usually takes about two weeks to receive the test results.
For information, call the SWCD at 574-267-7445, Ext. 3, or visit www.kosciuskoswcd.com/kcswcd/well_water_tests.htm
