FREE WATER TESTING FOR NITRATE
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
8:30 a.m. — 3:30 p.m.
at the
Pope Douglas Solid Waste Management Building

Please follow the instructions below to take a sample of your well water for nitrate testing.  You may bring in your sample to Pope/Douglas Solid Waste Management during the hours listed to have it tested.  The procedure generally takes 5 to 10 minutes.

How do I take a Sample?

1. Run the water for 5 minutes before taking the sample.

2. Use a permanent marker to label any type of plastic baggie or Ziplock™  bag with your name or if you want to remain anonymous, label the bag with a number or a code you will easily remember.  A clean glass jar can also be used if a baggie is not available.  If you have more than one sample, add an identifier.

Example:   Joe Swenson                  Joe Swenson
                 Well #1                               Well #2

3. Collect the water in the baggie, only 1/2 cup is needed.  Do this within 24 hours of arriving at the water testing clinic and keep it refrigerated until you leave for the clinic.  The water sample should be cool upon arrival to the clinic.

4. If you have water treatment equipment installed (other than a softener), we recommend taking a sample “before” and “after” to determine if your system is working properly.

Helpful Hints:
*Know the age, depth and type of well (sandpoint, drilled, hand dug, etc.).  This will help us answer your questions.
Age:__________Depth:_________Type:______

*Double-bag your water sample(s) to ensure no leakage
*Make sure your sample bag is labeled.
*Keep the sample cool and out of sunlight.
*If nitrate is detected, test your drinking water annually.
*If nitrate is not detected, test your drinking water biennially.
*Annually test your drinking water for bacteria.

 

What Is Nitrate?
Nitrate (NO3-N) is a naturally occurring chemical made of nitrogen and oxygen.  Nitrate is found in air, soil, water, and plants.  Much of the nitrate in our environment comes from decomposition of plants and animal wastes.  Most lawns and agricultural crops such as corn are commonly fertilized with nitrogen fertilizers.

Why should I test my water for Nitrate?
Nitrate is tasteless, odorless, and colorless.  The only way to determine if there is nitrate in your water is to have your water tested specifically for nitrate.  Monitoring studies across the state, particularly on the outwash sands, indicate that 5 to 25 percent of our drinking wells contain nitrate-nitrogen levels above the health advisory limit.

Elevated levels of nitrate in drinking water can cause Blue Baby Syndrome in infants.  If the NO3-N concentration of your water exceeds the health limit of 10 Parts Per Million (PPM), do not feed to infants under six months.  Boiling your water will not remove nitrate (boiling the water will actually concentrate the nitrates).

What happens if I find Nitrate in my water?
If you find that the NO3-N level in your water is less than 10 ppm; the nitrate level is acceptable and you should continue to monitor nitrate levels periodically.

If your NO3-N level is above 10 ppm, here are some recommended steps:

• Retest at a certified lab.
• Consider the health consequences, find an immediate alternative water supply for infants.
• Have the well inspected.
• Identify potential nitrate sources, the staff at the clinic may assist you with this task.

What happens with the data?
The test result is for your benefit.  It is not necessary to provide us with any information about your well.  The data is summarized on a county basis at the end of the year, with no names entered into the database.