WELL WATER SCREENING CLINIC SET AT JACKSON

JACKSON -- A well water screening clinic will be held today from 1 to 5 p.m. at the University of Missouri Extension Center, 815 Highway 25 South in Jackson.

The clinic, sponsored by the Cape Girardeau County University of Missouri Extension Council, is being conducted in response to a growing number of local inquiries from well owners concerned about the safety of their water system.

The test, which requires only 15 minutes to complete, will determine nitrates, pH, iron, hardness and chlorine.

"Nitrate levels in water can be a serious health threat," said Frank Wideman, University of Missouri Extension agricultural engineer for Perry County. "It can cause blue baby syndrome in humans."

Wideman added that most often high nitrate levels in home water systems are caused by nitrates leaching from a septic system or an area of heavily concentrated animal waste near the well site."

Last year a number of wells had nitrate levels of concern, "possibly from the high floodwater levels in the ground water," said Gerald Bryan, agronomy specialist for University of Missouri Extension at Jackson.

Bryan said participation in the annual well water testing is usually good.

"When we first started it four years ago, more than 300 people tested their wells," said Bryan. "Since, then we have averaged between 60 and 70 tests a year."

In addition to the screening tests done on the site, the Cape Girardeau County Health Department will have bacteria test sample kits available.

Bacteria tests require more extensive lab procedures and can not be performed at a screening clinic.

University extension staff will be available during the screening clinic to answer people's questions about their home water systems.

Cost of the water test is $5.

People wanting their drinking water tested should draw a quart sample of water form their cold water faucet after letting it run for two or three minutes. The people are warned not to let the sample set in a hot car, or even at room temperature, for any length of time.