The Stearns County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) in cooperation with the cities of Cold Spring and Freeport will host a free nitrate water-testing clinic from 3 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 18, at the Cold Spring Public Works building, and from 2 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 19, at the Freeport City Hall. Nitrates are the most common contaminate in Minnesota?Äôs groundwater. Since you can?Äôt taste it or see it, many people are not aware it is in their water.
The source of nitrate in groundwater is influenced by a number of factors, including septic systems, lawn fertilizer, crop fields, animal wastes, and decaying plants.
?ÄúRainfall and land management techniques can contribute to the presence of nitrate in groundwater,?Äù stated SWCD Administrator Dennis Fuchs. ?ÄúAs more water moves through the soil profile, it flushes out excess nutrients into the water table. Areas with sandy soils are more susceptible to nutrient loss with increased rainfall.?Äù
To keep your drinking water safe, have your well tested annually for nitrate and bacteria. Continue to properly manage nitrate sources near your well. Small things like routinely pumping your septic tank and applying fertilizer to your lawn when it is actively growing will help keep you and your family safe.
To participate in the free test clinic, bring your water sample to the Cold Spring Public Works building at 301 2nd Ave NE, Cold Spring or the Freeport City Hall 125 E. Main Street, Freeport. Water samples should be collected after a tap has been left running for 5 minutes. With the faucet running, collect the water in a plastic sandwich bag or glass or plastic container and label it with your name and something to help you identify which faucet the sample came from. Please collect one cup of water no more than 24 hours before the test will be completed. Keep water refrigerated until the clinic. Water should be tested while cool. If your house uses water treatment equipment other than a softener, it is recommended to take a sample before and after to determine if your system is working properly.
For more information on proper sample collection or managing nitrate sources, contact the Stearns County SWCD at (320)
251-7800, ext 3 or visit the website at: www.stearnscountyswcd.net.