Free drinking water nitrate screening at health fair

[March 29, 2011]  At the annual Community Health Fair on Saturday, the Logan County Department of Public Health will offer free nitrate screenings for drinking water. Since public water supplies are regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency, only water from private wells will qualify for screening. The health fair will be at the Lincoln Park District SportsCenter from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Nitrate is a compound of oxygen and nitrogen that can be found in drinking water. At elevated levels, nitrate can pose the greatest health threat to infants and women who are pregnant. Possible sources of nitrate in drinking water include farmland fertilizer runoff, decaying plant debris, animal feedlots, sewage disposal systems and wastewater. It is not uncommon for well water to contain elevated levels of nitrates, and the best way to determine if your well contains high levels is to have it tested.

To have your water screened, simply fill a clean, covered jar or container with tap water (at least 3 ounces) and bring it with you to the health department’s environmental health booth at the fair. Your sample of water will be analyzed on-site. The screening will help determine if your well water is above or below the nitrate action level. If your water screening indicates nitrates are at an elevated level, a water test kit will be provided to you at no cost.

For more information, contact the Logan County Department of Public Health at 217-735-2317.

[Text from file received from the Logan County Department of Public Health]