Health department promotes well-water safety testing by offering discounts between Sept. 9 and 19

EAU CLAIRE — The Eau Claire City-County Health Department is promoting water safety in the area by offering discounted rates for private well-water testing between September 9 and 19.

According to Environmental Sciences Division Manager Matt Steinbach, private well owners should be testing their water for safety on an annual basis. They should also test if they notice a change in the water’s color, taste, smell, or if any work is being done on their well.

He said that those relying on a municipal water supply automatically have their water tested and treated for safety by the city, but that “on a private well, that responsibility falls on the private well owner.”

While the health department has not seen a high percentage of well owners testing their water regularly, Steinbach said that “for the past few years since we’ve been (running these promotional discounts), our volume of samples throughout the year has consistently gotten larger. More people are taking advantage of these opportunities and more people are testing their wells than previously, which is a great sign.”

He also said that the health department is not the only place people can get their water tested, so it’s hard to get a completely clear picture on whose water is being tested.

These promotional periods tend to be offered at least once a year, though on no specific regular date.

“It’s typically around some sort of acknowledgement day for water,” he said, noting that September 4 is Protect your Groundwater Day.

The discounts the health department offers are approximately 32 percent of the normal price, a discount they can offer due to the increased volume of tests offered during the promotional period.

“We do everything in-house, but if we have larger volumes, we can run multiple samples on a piece of equipment at once,” he said.

Private well users can pick up a water sample kit between now and September 18 and return the kits between September 9 and 19 to qualify for the discount. Water samples should be collected no sooner than 24 hours prior to submitting the sample. Water samples will not be accepted on Friday, September 13.

Those submitting samples have the choice between the bacteria and nitrate bundle or the homeowners PLUS bundle. The homeowners bundle includes additional testing for metals.

Steinbach recommended those that haven’t been regularly testing to purchase the homeowners bundle. Those who have been testing regularly can save money buy purchasing the bacteria and nitrate bundle.

He also said that “we have staff that will come up and speak to you when you pick up your sample kits. If you’re still unsure what you want to do, they can help make that determination.”

The cost of the testing during the discount period is $80 for the homeowners plus bundle and $34 for the bacteria and nitrate bundle. This testing is available not just for those located in Eau Claire County. Steinbach said that if an individual can get the water sample to the health department, that individual can get it tested.

For those in Eau Claire County, homeowners can get a specific panel of water done for free if there is a pregnant woman or child under the age of one living on the premises of the private well.

Most results and treatment recommendations are then mailed to the homeowners.

“In some rare instances where we have really high results, we’ll actually do a personal phone call,” said Steinbach. He also said that those who have questions about their letter are free to call the health department if they have additional questions.

According to the press release, bacteria, nitrate, or metals can make people sick. “Nitrate levels of 10 parts per million are most harmful for pregnant women, unborn children, and infants. High nitrate levels make it harder for our blood to carry the oxygen our bodies need. Infant formula should never be mixed with water with high nitrate levels. Boiling water does not remove nitrate. Arsenic in drinking water can be toxic even at low levels. Lead and copper can leach from pipes into the water supply and are especially harmful to pregnant women, infants, and young children. Copper, manganese, iron, and water hardness can impact the test of your water and leave stains on appliances or laundry.”

“We really recommend anyone to test their well water if they don’t know what the results (would be),” said Steinbach.

The test kits can be picked up and dropped off at the Health Department at 720 2nd Ave., in Eau Claire between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Those who have further questions can call the Health Department at 715-839-2870.