Kits available for private well water testing

While public water systems are tested regularly, testing private wells is the responsibility of the owner.

If you have a well and would like to find out what is in your water, Kane-DuPage Soil and Water Conservation District and Kane County Farm Bureau offer an annual testing program.

Test kits for nutrients and metals will be available for purchase Oct. 17-28.

Kits will need to be returned to the office on Monday, Oct. 31.

A nitrate kit can be purchased for $45 that checks water samples for nitrate, nitrite, ammonia, chloride, sulfate, soluble phosphorus, silica and specific conductivity. The metals kits test 23 different metals for $95.

Water test kits are available for purchase at the Kane-DuPage Soil and Water Conservation District office, 2315 Dean St., Suite 100, St. Charles or Kane County Farm Bureau, 2N710 Randall Rd., St. Charles only during the two-week period.

Water samples must be collected Oct. 30 and returned Oct. 31.

Heidelburg University Water Quality Laboratory in Tiffin, Ohio will perform the water testing. Results are mailed in 4-6 weeks directly to participants. All results are confidential and will be reported only to the individual requesting the test.

If you have further questions about the program, call the Soil & Water District office at (630) 584-7960, ext. 3.