Homeowners who rely on private wells for drinking water are advised to test for nitrates on a regular basis. Private well owners may participate at the free nitrate testing clinic Saturday, June 30 in Scandia. From 9-11 a.m. homeowners can bring water samples to the Scandia Community and Senior Center, 14727 209th St. N. The clinic is sponsored by the Comfort Lake-Forest Lake Watershed District, Chisago County Zoning/Environmental Services, the city of Scandia, and the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. Nitrates are the most common contaminants in Minnesota’s groundwater, and a significant number of the state’s wells have high nitrate levels. Homeowners must bring at least one-half cup of water in either a Whirl-Pak plastic bag or a Ziploc-type bag. In order to get a good sample, allow the water to run five to 10 minutes. Homeowners with distillators, reverse osmosis or other nitrate removal systems should take two water samples — one before and one after the treatment process. Homeowners with just a water softener need to take one sample, either before or after the water passes through the water softener. Only water from private wells will be tested. Samples should be taken no more than 24 hours before the testing, and they must be refrigerated. For information, contact Randy Anhorn at 651-209-9753.

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