What’s in your drinking water? Groundwater provides 100% of drinking water to those living in the South Washington Watershed District, whether it’s city pipe or a private well. While city piped water or tap water and well water in the area both come from the same source, how they are handled is different.
Tap water provided by cities is treated and regularly monitored for contaminants like lead, copper, nitrates, arsenic, radium, and coliform bacteria to ensure they meet EPA standards for drinking water. City services lines are also regularly maintained and monitored.
Individual wells are private, and therefore privately monitored and maintained. One way to understand the quality of your well water is to get it tested. This August, a free well-water testing clinic will be held at the Baytown Community Center in northern Washington County. This event is being cosponsored in part by the South Washington Watershed District.
To participate in this free water screening clinic, bring water from your home tap (minimum of one cup – 8oz) in a clean, hard plastic or glass container and include the location and date that you collected the sample. We will run a screen test on your water for nitrate and chloride. You can wait for your results or request them via email.
During the clinic, experts will also be on hand to discuss wellhead protection and groundwater concerns, including arsenic, bacteria, pesticides, and Perfluorinated Alkylated Substances (PFAS). Stop by anytime to pick up fact sheets and talk with clinic volunteers. This clinic is free and open to everyone, regardless of what city, county, or state they live.
The event will take place on Thursday, August 21st, from 11 AM – 4 PM at the Baytown Community Center (4020 McDonald Dr N, Stillwater, MN 55082). Follow the event on Facebook to receive reminders and stay up to date on the event.
Other Co-sponsors include: East Metro Water Education Program (EMWREP), Lower St. Croix Watershed Partnership, Washington County, Washington Conservation District, Brown’s Creek Watershed District, Middle St. Croix WMO, Valley Branch Watershed District, Minnesota Groundwater Association, and the Minnesota Well Owners Organization.