~ PVN staff report
LURAY, Feb. 22 — Virginia Cooperative Extension offices throughout the Northern Shenandoah Valley will be collecting water samples and conducting drinking water testing clinics throughout the region next month as part of the Virginia Household Water Quality Program.
Participants will be able to pick up a sample kit in mid-March, submit samples the next day, and then receive results in early May. The cost is $65 per sample kit. First-time participants or households with under $70,000 annual income can test one sample for $20. Discounted kits available as long as funding lasts, and awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.
Owners of a well, spring or cistern can use this affordable and confidential testing program to gain information to make better decisions regarding system maintenance and overall water treatment. The goal of the state program is to improve the water quality and health of Virginians with private water supplies.
The test will measure levels of iron, sodium, fluoride, coliform bacteria, manganese, copper, pH, E.coli bacteria, sulfate, nitrate, total dissolved solids, lead, hardness and arsenic.
Page County residents need to register by Thursday, March 9. After that date, call the Virginia Cooperative Extension‐Frederick County, (540) 665‐5699, to check on kit availability. Kits are limited.
Register online (credit/debit card payment):
https://warren.ext.vt.edu/news/NSV‐Water‐Clinics.html
Register by mail (check): Complete a Registration Form and mail as instructed.
There will be virtual Kick-Off meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, March 13 and Monday, March 20. Those who prefer in-person can attend on March 13 at the Page County Office in Stanley. Participants who can’t attend or view either Kick-Off meeting should plan to watch the five-minute instruction video when they pick up their kit. Participants must be able to drop off and pick up samples.
In Page County, sample kits may be picked up between 8 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. on Monday, March 13 and between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Tuesday, March 14 at the Page County Extension Office, 215 W. Main St., Stanley. Drop off will be between 7 to 10 a.m. on Wednesday, March 15 at the same location.
Confidential individual results will be sent out by email on Thursday, May 4. A Results Session will be held virtually and in-person in Frederick, Shenandoah or Page at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 4. The in-person session will be held locally at the Extension Office in Stanley. Participants will receive a Zoom link by email.
For more information about the upcoming drinking water testing clinics,
call the Page County Extension Office at (540) 778-5794
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