Low-cost well water testing available

Published 9:40 am Wednesday, February 28, 2024

The Virginia Cooperative Extension is reprising its well water testing clinic.

Participants must register by March 1 and pick up their well water sample kits at their local Cooperative Extension office between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. March 11 or 12. To register, visit tinyurl.com/VCE-SE-VAHWQP or send a check or money order by mail in the amount of $20 per test to VCE-Isle of Wight, 17100 Monument Circle, Suite B, Isle of Wight, VA 23397.

The Hampton Roads Sanitation District is sponsoring the clinic, reducing the cost of the first 80 kits purchased from $70 per sample to $20 per sample.

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The kits will come with instructions on how to collect samples. Participants can drop off their samples at the Isle of Wight Extension Office or any of the following:

  • VCE-Suffolk, 440 Market St.
  • VCE-Virginia Beach, 2449 Princess Anne Road, Building 14, Room 215
  • VCE-Chesapeake, 310 Shea Drive

The samples will be analyzed at Virginia Tech’s campus for 14 parameters: iron, sodium, fluoride, manganese, copper, hardness, coliform bacteria, E. Coli bacteria, total dissolved solids, arsenic, lead, pH, sulfates and nitrates. Once analysis is complete, confidential results, an explanation of what they mean, and information about addressing any problems, will be sent via mail or email. A live video or recorded presentation will be available to help participants understand results.

Once results are returned, participants will have an opportunity to learn about the Sustainable Water Initiative for Tomorrow or SWIFT, at their local extension offices. This water purification method is designed to ensure a sustainable source of groundwater while addressing environmental challenges such as Chesapeake Bay restoration, sea level rise and saltwater intrusion.

For more information, contact:

  • Livvy Preisser, Isle of Wight, at livvy16@vt.edu
  • Mike Andruczyk, Chesapeake, at mikeand@vt.edu
  • Andrea Davis, Suffolk, at awise@vt.edu
  • Roy Flanagan, Virginia Beach, at royf@vt.edu

Or visit www.wellwater.bse.va.edu.