Well Water Test Kits Available at Monroe County Health Department

Testing your well water annually helps protect your overall health. The Monroe County Health Department is making your annual testing more convenient by offering water testing kits for bacteria, nitrates, or metals.
Your well should be tested for bacteria and nitrates every year. Bacteria in drinking water can be a serious health risk because harmful germs in the water may make you sick. At high enough levels, bacteria may cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Bacteria can get into private wells through surface contamination, septic systems, livestock waste, fertilization, or if your well is damaged.
Nitrates should be avoided by everyone, but are most dangerous to infants and people who are pregnant. High levels of nitrates can cause birth defects as well as “blue baby syndrome,” which occurs when a baby’s skin turns blue because of the body’s inability to carry oxygen. Common sources of nitrates include nitrogen fertilizers, manure, septic systems, and sewage treatment practices. Nitrates can easily be carried into the groundwater by rainwater and melting snow.
Test your water today by picking up a test kit at the Monroe County Health Department. Test kits for bacteria or nitrates can be purchased for $30 each. Test kits for metals can be purchased for $105. If your results are unsafe, Health Department staff are here to assist with the next steps.
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