Well water testing to be offered at a discount

During April, McHenry County Department of Health will offer reduced fee water testing for individual well water users.

Residents can have their well water sampled for coliform bacteria and nitrate for $18.

For more than 20 years, the McHenry County Department of Health has worked to educate the public about improvement and protection of drinking water sources by offering reduced rates on water analysis.

Since many contaminants are colorless and odorless, testing is the only way to determine whether well water is safe to drink.

Water from a public or municipal water system is regularly tested for contaminants regulated by federal and state standards.

Bacteria and chemicals can get into well water and contaminate it in different ways. Some bacteria and chemicals occur naturally. Contaminants such as nitrate can come from animal waste, wastewater, flooded sewers, polluted storm water runoff, fertilizers, agricultural runoff or decaying plants.

High levels of nitrate in drinking water can cause illness in young children and pregnant women.

Coliform bacteria are microbes found in the digestive systems of warm-blooded animals, in soil, on plants, and in surface water.

As a well owner, it is up to you to maintain your well and have it tested regularly.

For a nominal charge, the McHenry County Department of Health also will sample private wells for lead, fluoride and nuisance chemicals resulting in water hardness, iron, discoloration and odor.

Sampling kits can be picked up at the McHenry County Department of Health in Woodstock or at one of eight drop-off centers.

Samples can be dropped off for testing at the following centers from 9 a.m. to noon Tuesdays at:

• Algonquin Township office, 3702 Route 14, Crystal Lake, (847) 639-2329.

• Dorr Township office, 140 Newell St., Woodstock, (815) 338-0125.

• McHenry Township office, 3703 Richmond Road, McHenry, (815) 385-5605.

• Nunda Township office, 3510 Bay Road, Crystal Lake, (815) 459-4011.

• City of Marengo, City Hall, 134 E. Prairie St., Marengo, (815) 568-7112.

• City of Harvard Police Department, 201 W. Front St., Harvard (815) 943-4431.

• Richmond Township office, 7812 South Route 31, Richmond, (815) 678-0077.

• Grafton Township office, 10109 Vine St., Huntley (847) 669-3328.

For more information about your private well water, call the McHenry County Department of Health Environmental Division at (815) 334-4585.