Land Conservation Department announces annual well testing program
Do you get your drinking water from a private well? The Taylor County Land Conservation Department (LCD) recommends testing drinking water from private wells annually and is offering an opportunity next week for Taylor County residents to test their water at a reduced rate.
While most private water wells in Wisconsin provide safe water, some may become contaminated with bacteria and other pollutants. The LCD recommends testing private wells once per year for coliform bacteria and nitrates, every five to 10 years for metals, and any time you notice a change in how the water looks, tastes or smells. Even if well water seems okay, it can contain harmful bacteria, nitrates or metals.
Two test packages are available at $35 each, or both for $50. The homeowner’s package (normally $60) includes nitrate, coliform bacteria, pH, alkalinity, hardness, conductivity, corrosivity and chloride. The metals package (normally $57) includes arsenic, calcium, copper, iron, lead, magnesium, manganese, potassium, sodium, sulfate and zinc. Lab testing is done through the Water and Environmental Analysis Lab at UW-Stevens Point.
Taylor County residents can pick up sample bottles August 16-20 at the Land Conservation Department, located at Ag/USDA Service Center, 925 Donald St. in Medford, between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Bottle pick-up is also available on Tuesday, Aug. 17 from 9 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. at Gilman Village Hall or Thursday, Aug. 19 from 1-2:30 p.m. at the Westboro Community Center in the library lobby.
All samples must be returned on Monday, Aug. 23.
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Samples will be collected in Medford from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at the Gilman Village Hall from 9-10:30 a.m., and at the Westboro Community Center from 1-2:30 p.m. Most residents will receive a report of their results by mail in four to six weeks; residents with samples positive for bacteria will be notified by the laboratory within a few days.
For more information, call the Taylor County Land Conservation Department at 715-748-1469 or email Karyn Eckert at karyn.eckert@co.taylor.wi.us.
