2-22-18 waupun well water testing

Families in the Waupun area are invited to test their well water with Rock River Intermediate School and the University of Wisconsin – Extension, Fond du Lac County. All area residents with private drinking water wells are welcome to participate, regardless of the county or township of residence.  Registration details are online at fonddulac.uwex.edu. Families can choose which samples to take (bacteria, nitrates, and/or arsenic) and pay with a credit card or check by Tuesday, March 13.    The public is invited to learn more about the sampling program and well water during Literacy Night at Rock River Intermediate School on Tuesday, March 13, 5-7pm.  Students in Leigh Kohlmann’s sixth grade science class will demonstrate how well water gets contaminated and show existing water quality data for the area. Members of the public can bring well water samples from an unsoftened, cold water tap in a clean jar for the students to spot-check for water hardness.  The public can also register for the sampling program and pick up the bottles and instructions at this time.   Testing private drinking well water is optional. No one forces testing or treating any contamination that may be found. Testing helps understand risk by revealing what, if any, contaminants are in the drinking water. Kids, especially babies and pregnant women, are more vulnerable to certain contaminants. If sampling results show no problems, the family can feel more comfortable using the well water. If there are health-related contaminants present, participants will learn ways to improve well water safety.