McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) reduced the fee for water testing for individual well water users from April 1-30. Residents can have their well water sampled for coliform bacteria and nitrate for $18.

Testing a well regularly is the only way to determine whether the well water is safe to drink as many contaminants are colorless and odorless. Because it’s difficult, time consuming, and expensive to test for all organisms that may cause illness, the standard is to test for coliform. Coliform is a common soil and surface water bacteria, which, if present in drinking water, indicate that disease causing organisms, could be present. Nitrates most commonly come from animal waste, fertilizer, decaying plants, or sewage. High levels of nitrate in drinking water can cause illness in young children and pregnant women. High levels of nitrates or coliform in well water indicate the integrity of the well may be compromised.

Unlike private wells, water from a public or municipal water system is regularly tested for contaminants, including coliform and nitrates, as required by Federal and State standards.

In order to get accurate test results, well owners must pick up a sterile sample container from MCHD. Samples can be dropped off for testing on Tuesday mornings between 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. Containers can be picked up from the following locations:

• Algonquin Township Office, 3702 Route 14, Crystal Lake (847) 639-2329;
• Dorr Township Office, 1039 Lake Street, Woodstock (815) 338-0125’
• McHenry County Dept of Health, 2200 N Seminary Ave, Woodstock (815) 334-4585;
• McHenry County Dept of Health, 100 N Virginia St, Crystal Lake (815) 459-5151;
• McHenry Township Office, 3703 Richmond Road, McHenry (815) 385-5605;
• Nunda Township Office, 3510 Bay Road, Crystal Lake (815) 459-4011;
• City of Marengo, City Hall, 134 E. Prairie Street, Marengo (815) 568-7112;
• Harvard Police Department, 201 W Front Street, Harvard (815) 943-4431;
• Richmond Township Office, 7812 South Route 31, Richmond (815) 678-0077;
• Grafton Township Office, 10109 Vine Street, Huntley (847) 669-3328.