Water testing for Barrington-area residents

The Barrington Area Council of Governments (BACOG) will hold a private well water testing event on Wednesday, Oct. 5, at The Garlands of Barrington.

BACOG-area residents can purchase water testing kits the week before at BACOG village and township offices. Private well owners are responsible to test their own wells to ensure the cleanliness and safety of their drinking water.

BACOG will facilitate testing of the water samples for coliform bacteria, E. coli and nitrate in partnership with the Lake County Health Department, which performs the tests. Although invisible and odorless, these contaminants can cause illness in humans. Testing is recommended yearly for all private wells.

A reduced rate of $16 (normally $18) for testing kits is offered to BACOG residents. Water samples must be dropped off between 3:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. Oct. 5, at The Garlands, 1000 Garlands Lane. Water samples are tested within 24 hours of collection.

At 6 p.m., there will be a presentation on "Lead in Drinking Water" given by Walt Kelly, head of the Groundwater Science Section of the Illinois State Water Survey, University of Illinois. County and local experts also will also be available during the event to answer residents' questions.

The BACOG communities with private wells are the villages of Barrington Hills, Lake Barrington, North Barrington, South Barrington, Cuba and Barrington Townships. Barrington and portions of Tower Lakes and South Barrington provide municipal water to residents.