Well Water Testing at Eaton County Fair

The Eaton Conservation District will be screening drinking water well samples for nitrate on July 10 from 12-6pm at the Eaton County Fair in Kardell Hall. This is a FREE water test.

The screening is sponsored by the Eaton Conservation District and the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP). It is paid for by funds generated from Michigan pesticide and fertilizer registration and tonnage fees.

Samples from drinking water wells will be screened for nitrate and nitrite only. Public water supplies are tested regularly. Please DO NOT bring samples from public water supplies or non-drinking water sources. You do not have to have a special bottle for this screening. Any small, clean jar will work - 1 ounce of water is enough.

Please follow the directions below to sample your well. Collect samples just before bringing them to the fairgrounds for testing. Samples must be less than 48 hours old for a valid nitrite result.

1. Fill out the water Sample Information Sheet.

2. Pick a tap that supplies water that has NOT run through any treatment devices (water softener, carbon filter, etc.). An outdoor faucet often works well.

3. Run the water for 20-30 minutes before collecting the sample. This will give the pump time to flush the water pressure tank and plumbing so you can collect a valid sample. Disconnect any hoses before collecting the sample; DO NOT sample through a hose. Rinse the sample bottle and lid thoroughly in the water to be sampled; then fill and cap the bottle.

4. Label the bottle clearly with your name, the sampling date, and the wll name (cottage well, Mom's well, etc.) using a waterproof pen. Put the sample information sheet into a waterproof bag and then seal the water sample and the information into a second waterproof bag.

5. Keep the sample dark and cold (on ice or refrigerated) until it is dropped off.

All results are confidential.

Be sure to fill out the Sample Information Sheet completely and bring it with your water sample to the drop-off. You can get more information from the Eaton Conservation District office at 517-543-1512 x 5, or from your local MAEAP Technician, Jay Korson at the same number.