FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Steve Yanni
June 29, 2009County Extension Director
  (269) 383-8057



Free Water Testing for Nitrates and Herbicides at AG EXPO

Kalamazoo, Mich.- Private well owners may have their drinking water tested free of charge during Ag Expo, which will be held at Michigan State University (MSU) July 21 - 23. This free test will determine whether drinking water has high levels of nitrates or triazine herbicides.

Homeowners may pick up sampling bottles and instructions and then drop off their water samples at 3 sites:

  • Kalamazoo County Conservation District office, 1911 W. Center St., Portage

  • Farm Bureau office, 5950 Portage Rd., Ste. A, Portage

  • MSU Extension office, 3299 Gull Rd., Wing 2, Rm. 410, Kalamazoo.
Samples will be accepted on July 21 and 22 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. at the 3 Kalamazoo area sites, or you may deliver your own sample to Ag Expo at MSU in East Lansing July 21-23.

Confidential results will be mailed to the homeowner from the Michigan Department of Agriculture.

Sampling your water is simple. In a clean jar, label the outside with your name, sample date, and well name (garden well, house well etc.). Use a water source that is not connected to any treatment device (water softener or carbon filter). An outside faucet works best. Allow the water to run 10 to 15 minutes to empty the pressure tank so water comes directly from the aquifer to provide more accurate results. Rinse bottle and lid in water, and fill completely. Refrigerate your water sample. Please note that the sample should be kept cool and should be less than 48 hours old for an accurate nitrate screening result.

To learn more about Ag Expo and this free water testing opportunity, please call Linda Zabik at 327-1258 ext. 4, or email at linda.zabik@mi.nacdnet.net, or the MSU Extension office in Kalamazoo at (269) 383-8830.

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MSU Extension is an Affirmative-Action Equal-Opportunity Institution. Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, or family status.

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