ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, August 23, 2006
FOR MORE INFORMATION: John Foster, 773-3296

DENR to host free nitrate water-testing clinic on Sept. 1 and 2 at State Fair in Huron

PIERRE – Homeowners who rely on private wells for their drinking water supply should test for nitrates on a regular basis. Private well owners are encouraged to participate in a free nitrate testing clinic from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, Sept. 1 and 2, at the South Dakota State Fair in Huron. The free clinic will be located at the South Dakota Department of Agriculture Booth in the Expo Building. It will be sponsored by the South Dakota Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) as part of a series of free water-testing clinics being offered statewide throughout the summer of 2006.

Nitrates in drinking water may pose human health risks where concentrations violate state standards. With that in mind, DENR Secretary Steve Pirner urges people to take advantage of the free clinics. South Dakotans need to determine their risks and in extreme cases, take appropriate steps to reduce or eliminate nitrates in their drinking water.

DENR has historically found high nitrate levels in about 25 percent of its ambient ground water quality samples, but the nitrate levels are commonly lower if the well is completed into the bottom half of the aquifer.

To participate in the testing, homeowners must bring at least one-half cup of water in either a plastic Ziploc-type freezer bag, or a clean plastic drinking water bottle. To get a good sample, allow the water to run 5-10 minutes before filling the container, collect samples no more than 24 hours before the testing, and keep the sample cool until arrival at the clinic. To ensure accuracy, homeowners should mark the bags if there is more than one water sample. Homeowners may remain anonymous.

Homeowners with distillators, reverse osmosis or other nitrate removal systems should take two water samples - one before and one after the treatment process. This will determine if the nitrate removal system is working. Homeowners with just a water softener need to take one sample, either before or after the water passes through the water softener.

Samples are analyzed on the spot, the process usually takes less than five minutes, and results are given directly to the homeowner. If the nitrate level in a sample is elevated, clinic staff can refer the homeowner to certified labs that will retest the water.

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