Putnam SWCD offering well testing program

Putnam County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) will be offering a well-testing program to interested persons beginning on July 23.

The district will provide the well-testing kit for the water to be tested. The well-testing kit may be picked up at the office beginning July 23 from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Monday through Wednesday. The kit must be returned to the office before 10 a.m. on July 26.

Kits will be picked up by the lab running the tests at that time.

The kits provide all information on how to gather the water samples. As some of the tests are time-sensitive and the information must be followed exactly for viable results. All results are confidential and will be mailed directly to the person submitting the sample.

The SWCD will pay 50 percent of two tests being offered. The two tests in which cost-share is available are Total Coliform/E-Coli and Nitrate. The Total Coliform/E-Coli test will have a cost of $6 for the private well owner. If the well owner wishes to test for nitrates as well, the cost will be $14 for both tests.

There are other tests available on a case-by-case basis if you wish further analysis of your water. Prices vary depending on which test you are requesting. The list is available in the SWCD office.

Putnam County has 4,056 private wells. Unlike public drinking water systems serving many people, private wells do not have experts regularly checking the water's source and its quality before it is sent through the pipes for use. It is the responsibility of the private well owner for monitoring the quality of their water. Testing will help confirm if a problem exists.

If you are interested in having your private well tested, contact the office at 653-7454 or 653-5716 x3 to get your name on the list. The kits will be shipped to the office in June. You will be notified when the kits arrive for pick-up.

Upcoming Events

June 26 -- Soil Health Workshop at Gosport Community Building, 9 a.m.-noon. Call 653-7454 for registration by June 20.

Aug. 15 -- Brown Bag Luncheon at the Putnam County Library, 11 a.m.-noon. Topic: Invasive species in the Big Walnut Watershed.

Aug. 18 -- Forestry Field Day at Allen Royer's farm, 9 a.m.-noon. Call 653-7454 for registration by Aug. 15. Rain date: Aug. 25.

Aug. 21 -- No-till workshop in Hendricks County. Details to be announced later.