Test Your Well & Soil Event to be held on March 8, 2022

If you get your water from a well, you can have a low cost ($10) nitrate and 3 metals screening at the Greene County Test Your Well & Soil Event scheduled for March 8^th, from 4 to 6:00 p.m. at OSU Extension Greene County (100 Fairground Rd, Xenia, OH 45385). Greene County residents who have a well are eligible for this low-cost testing to evaluate their water quality; pre-registration is required.

Register via the website (go.osu.edu/greenetestyourwell) by March 4^th, then bring a well water sample to the event at your assigned appointment time and within about 30 minutes, you will know if there might be a harmful level of nitrate or metals in the water.

To collect you well water sample properly:

Use a clean container (empty plastic bottle) that can be sealed and holds at least 1 liter of water

Fill your container with the first draw of water in the morning (or after 6 hours of non-use) REFRIGERATE the sample until your appointment time. All results are CONFIDENTIAL

Wells more than 40 years old or less than 50 feet deep are more likely to have high levels of nitrate. High levels of iron can pose maintenance and health problems. Nitrate and bacteria are among the things well owners should test for every year because the levels can change over time and become a health hazard to your family.

You can purchase additional test kits for bacteria ($35) and additional metals screening at the event. Please bring cash or checks (kits will be available from the water testing lab).

FREE Soil Tests –Bring your sample with you to the event for lawns, gardens, orchards, or small acreage, (5 acres or less), First 30 are FREE. Additional soil samples are $18 each. Results can take up to ten days.

For more information on this event contact the Greene Soil and Water Conservation District at (937)-416-3768 or OSU Extension Greene County at (937) 372-9971. The Test Your Well Event is sponsored and hosted by the Greene SWCD, OSU Extension Greene County, Greene County Public Health, Miami Conservancy District, the Greene County Career Center, and Pace Analytical.