Free Nitrate Water Testing Clinic
The Stearns County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD), along with the Sauk Centre Public Utilities Commission will offer a free nitrate water-testing clinic on Tuesday, June 26th from 4-7 P.M. within the office of the Sauk Centre Public Utilities located at 101 Main Street South in Sauk Centre. Nitrates are the most common contaminants in Minnesota's groundwater. With that in mind, experts recommend that landowners who get their drinking water from wells should test their water regularly.
Stearns County Administrator Dennis Fuchs urges homeowners to take advantage of this free service. "Nitrates in drinking water have been shown to have human health risks," Administrator Fuchs said. “Elevated levels of nitrate in drinking water can cause Blue Baby Syndrome in infants, if bottle fed and under six months of age. This can be fatal.”
To participate in the testing, homeowners must bring at least one-half cup of water in preferably a clean plastic or glass container. In order to get a good sample, allow the tap to run 5 to 10 minutes before filling the container. Homeowners that maintain either a distillation unit, reverse osmosis (RO) or other nitrate removal systems should take two water samples one before and one after the treatment process. This will determine if the nitrate removal system is working properly. For systems with just a water softener, homeowners only need to take one sample, either before or after the water passes through the water softener.
Samples should be taken no more than 24 hours before the testing and should be cool when arriving at the clinic. Homeowners should mark the container with their name, phone number and a well identification number if more than one well is sampled. However, homeowners who wish to remain anonymous should simply choose another easily recognized number to identify their sample.
Samples will be analyzed on the spot the process usually takes less than five minutes and results will be given directly to the homeowner during their visit. If the nitrate level in a sample is elevated, clinic staff can refer the homeowner to certified labs that will retest the water. SWCD staff will also be available to answer any water quality questions and provide resources for more information.
For further information on water testing clinics for nitrate, contact the Stearns Co. SWCD at 320-251-7800x3. |