CT DPH to Offer Free Well Testing and Info on August 27, 2018

The Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH), in conjunction with the Ledge Light Health District, will be distributing educational information about private wells and free arsenic and uranium private well water test kits at the Wheeler Library on Monday, August 27, 2018 from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. The test kits will be made available to any Connecticut private well owner or user who is interested.

“Arsenic and uranium have no taste or odor, so the only way to know if either toxic metal is present is to have your well water tested,” said Ryan Tetreault, DPH’s Private Well Program supervisor. “Partnering with the Ledge Light Heath District and Wheeler Library provides a great opportunity for private well owners to find out more about the quality of their drinking water and to have their water tested.”

A recent report published by the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Connecticut Department of Public Health revealed that water from some private wells across the state has registered high levels of arsenic and uranium. As part of the joint research project, it was determined that seven percent of the private well samples tested at levels higher than Maximum Contaminant Levels for arsenic or uranium.

This outreach effort is part of a statewide project funded by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to educate private well owners and users about the need to regularly test private drinking water wells.

Sampling containers will be provided on a first come, first served basis. Well owners should not bring their own water sample to the event. Private well owners will be provided with arsenic and uranium test kits which include a specific collection bottle and instructions on how to properly collect the sample. Participants will have the opportunity to collect the sample and either return it that same day before 6:00 p.m. or within a specified timeframe from the date of the event to a specified location.

Water samples will be analyzed by the State Public Health Laboratory in Rocky Hill. The DPH Private Well Program will provide a follow up report with an explanation of the test results to all participants. Private well owners can also bring a photo of their well cap and any private well records to have a professional at the event look at them for possible evaluation.

Please visit us at Wheeler Library,101 Main St, North Stonington, CT on Monday, August 27th from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. to learn more about private well water and to get a free arsenic and uranium test kit. For more information please contact the DPH Private Well Program at 860-509-8401 or the Ledge Light Health District at (860) 448-4882.