Using on-the-spot field tests for nitrates and arsenic, representatives from the IRWA will offer free well water testing and provide information and advice on how local residents can lower contaminants in their drinking water (if present), how to prevent contamination of their water wells, and how to properly maintain their water wells.

How to take a water sample…

In order to get the most accurate water test results we suggest keeping the following tips in mind when collecting your sample:

• Use a container about 16 ounces (1 pint) in size and make certain to wash the container with warm, soapy water first. Thoroughly rinse the container to remove all traces of the soap.
   
• If you have a water softener or water filter installed, make sure you collect your water sample from a line before it enters the softener or filter. Often times a faucet or spigot on the outside of the house may work well for this purpose since many are not tied into the whole house water filtration systems.
   
• Allow the water to run for 20 or 30 seconds before collecting your sample.
   
• Collect your sample as close to the time you intend to leave the house as possible and try not to let the water sit for too long between collection and testing.

Residents of Payette County with questions about the free water testing may contact call Adrianna Hummer at (208) 392-3576.

What if we don’t live in Payette County?

Often times you can check with your local health department to see if they offer free or reduced rate water testing. If that does not work out, our Water Test Kit Store offers simple, at-home drinking water test kits for nitrates and arsenic as well as a number of other potential well water contaminants and critical water quality parameters.

The Benton Soil & Water Conservation District and Minnesota Department of Agriculture are conducting the nitrate clinic from 11:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Aug. 1 and 2. The clinic will be at the SWCD’s fair booth in the Education Building.

Nitrate is a common contaminant, particularly in shallow wells, dug wells and wells with damaged or leaking casings. Nitrates can come from fertilizers, animal waste and human sewage. It is tasteless, odorless and colorless. ( source )

Nitrates’ undetectable nature (except by testing. see nitrate/nitrite test strips) makes it a potentially dangerous well and drinking water contaminant. Unborn children, infants and small children can become very ill and possibly even die from prolonged exposure to elevated nitrate levels in their drinking water (see Blue Baby Syndrome).

Nitrate’s effects on older children and adults remains unclear at this time but some health experts have tentatively linked prolonged exposure to higher than normal nitrate levels with serious illnesses like lymphoma.

More free nitrate testing in Minnesota

For those not able to get out to the Benton County Fair to take advantage of the free nitrate testing the Benton Benton Soil & Water Conservation District located at 14 Second Ave. W in Foley, MN offers local residents free nitrate testing during office hours during the week. Interested parties may call 968-5300, Extension 3 or email Adam@soilandwater.org.

Testing for nitrates elsewhere

As we learn of more free and/or discounted well water testing offers we will post them on the site. In the meantime, if you would like to perform testing of your well water yourself we recommend the WaterWorks Nitrate & Nitrite Test Strips currently available in our Water Test Kit Store. While not as awesome a deal as free testing, you can get 50 tests for around $14 and you can get the water test kit you need in just a few days.

Today we’d like to highlight the free nitrate testing program that will run from July 18 to July 20, 2011 in Douglas County, Minnesota.

Sponsored by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture and the Douglas County Soil and Water Conservation District, free nitrates in water testing will get offered to residents who bring samples of their well or tap water to the County offices in Alexandria.

Why test for nitrates?

For starters, the USEPA has deemed them a health hazard if consumed in too great a quantity — especially for young children and babies.

A condition known as Blue Baby Syndrome, experts believe, may result when nitrates hinder the ability of hemoglobin to carry oxygen in the bloodstream.

Reduced amounts of oxygen in the bloodstream can cause developmental problems and could even result in the death.

ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) and Douglas County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) will offer a free nitrate water-testing clinic July 18-20 at the County offices located at 900 Robert Street, Suite 102, in Alexandria. Clinic hours will be 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The clinic is the latest in a series of water-testing clinics sponsored by MDA. Nitrates are the most common contaminants in Minnesota’s groundwater, and in some areas of the state a significant number of wells have high nitrate levels. With that in mind, experts recommend that homeowners who get their drinking water from wells should test their water regularly.

“Nitrates in drinking water can be a risk to human health,” MDA Commissioner Dave Frederickson said. “Public drinking water supplies are monitored for nitrates, but it’s important for homeowners with private wells to check their water and take action if their water has high nitrates levels.” ( source )

For those not lucky enough to live in a place offering free nitrate testing, do not fret because everyone has the option of performing at-home testing for nitrates for less than $0.50 per test AND get dependable results in just a few short minutes. The WaterWorks Nitrate/Nitrite Test Strip gives homeowners and water professionals the ability to quickly determine if a Nitrate or Nitrite problem may exist in a body of water.

Filters to remove nitrates from drinking water?

Several different styles of filter exist to remove nitrates from drinking water. Depending upon the amount of water you want to filter and the amount of nitrates in your source water, pricing for a simple disposable nitrate removal filter start around $120, pricing for higher capacity undersink nitrate filters start around $125, and pricing for more sophisticated whole house nitrate removal systems starts around $1,370.

A few days ago we posted information about how nitrates in drinking water could possibly cause health problems. Specifically, we talked about a condition known as blue baby syndrome which can definitely prove fatal.

Today, though, we have some good news for residents in an area of Nebraska: Free Nitrate Testing at the Husker Harvest Days in Grand Island.

We always like it when someone takes the initiative to make nitrate testing, or any other type of well water testing available to the public for a good price… and we like it more when someone offers it for FREE!

Associated Press – September 7, 2010 5:35 AM ET

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (AP) – Nebraskans who wonder about nitrates in their well water are being invited to have it tested free at Husker Harvest Days in Grand Island.

A cup of the water is needed for the testing in the Natural Resources Tent at the Husker Harvest grounds. Testing will be done Sept. 14-15 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. CDT and between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Sept. 16.

Results will be available about an hour after samples are dropped off.

Experts say nitrates pose extra danger to infants and pregnant women and anyone who has a weak immune system. Livestock also are susceptible to nitrate poisoning.

Nitrate can naturally occur, but it is also a byproduct of fertilizer and manure. ( source )

So what happens when if the water test comes back positive for nitrates? Does the mean you will get sick and die? All depends upon the level of nitrates in the water. Oh, and as always, people with certain pre-existing medical conditions may find themselves more likely to suffer from the effects of elevated nitrate levels in drinking water.

Getting rid of nitrates in drinking water?

While nitrates typically pose more of a danger to people in the country, or more specifically in farming/agricultural areas, pretty much anyone with well water ought to test for nitrates every once in a while. If test results come back positive for elevated nitrate levels, then a nitrate removal system will definitely come in handy.

A long time ago people with high nitrate levels in their water had limited options available to them for nitrate removal. Those days have passed. Now homeowners and/or private well owners have multiple options.