The Stearns County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) is sponsoring free water testing clinics for nitrates. The dates and times are as follows: o Albany – Central Minnesota Federal Credit Union, Central Minnesota FCU Member Appreciation Day, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Friday, June 11. o Cold Spring – Cold Spring City Hall, Hometown Pride Days, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Friday, July 23. Samples of 1/2 cup should be collected from running water within 24 hours of the clinic and stored in clean jars or Ziploc(TM) bags. Nitrate is a tasteless, odorless and colorless compound of nitrogen and oxygen. It is produced by the decomposition of plants and animal waste and can be found in some fertilizers. Nitrates can only be detected if you specifically test for them. Elevated levels can cause blue baby syndrome in infants. Studies throughout the state indicate that 5 to 25 percent of drinking wells contain nitrate/nitrogen levels above advisory limits. Programs and services of the SWCD are offered on a nondiscriminatory basis, without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, marital status or handicap.
