Conservation District to offer ‘Private Home Well Protection and Testing’ class

MAT-SU — Why test my home well water? Well, besides ensuring safe, clean drinking water, there are at least 23 additional logical reasons.

Always remember this is your well and your water. You control what happens to them and what goes into them. Since your well is a small, closed system, problems can easily be diagnosed, treated and resolved. Testing and preventative maintenance can help sustain personal health and keep your well functioning properly. Neither the state not federal governments regulate your well. The bottom line is, your well is your responsibility.

The Wasilla Soil and Water Conservation District has recently assessed the number of home wells with on-site septic systems within the borough’s core area, unsafe water shed protection practices and a serious lack of understanding/concern to conserve water quality at home.

As a result, a new water well testing education campaign/service has been developed to make it more attractive to test your water.

Neither the state of Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation nor the local municipal governments provide direct services for home water well owners. Their level of interest focuses on public systems. At the local response level, the Wasilla Soil and Water Conservation District enters the picture. In response to resident concerns and a review of scientific water quality data potentially affecting local aquifer sources, the conservation district has developed an action plan to educate folks about the values of safe drinking water and a testing service for homeowners.

As part of its traditional water outreach to residents, the conservation district is committed to teaching basic watershed and practical well protection. As part of the district’s successful Winter Conservation Series, a free session titled “Private Home Well Protection and Testing” will be offered from 7 to 8:30 p.m., April 4 at Mat-Su College. Basic stewardship information will review what well owners need to know. Compliments of the National Ground Water Association, a package of ground water information sheets specifically prepared for well owners in mind will be distributed to session participants.

As a concluding highlight of the session and to encourage/motivate folks to test their wells for their safety, as well as their loved ones, the conservation district will unveil a new Home Water Well Testing Service. This collaborative effort with Analytica Labs will offer residents an incentive to test their water and receive certified laboratory results at a reduced group rate. Your certified results can be used as a guide toward treatment, filtration or other options available to bring your well water up to drinking water standards.

For the past 20 years, Analytica has accumulated extensive experience testing home wells and public water systems throughout Mat-Su and across Alaska.

As a convenience, Analytica’s local Valley presence includes an office in the Wasilla Carrs mall. Session presenters are Elizabeth Rensch from Analytica and conservation district manager Chuck Kaucic.

The conservation district appreciates the support of fellow cooperators Mat-Su College, Palmer Soil and Water Conservation District, Alaska Rural Water Association and Analytica to provide water quality services to neighbors and residents.

Registration is simple. It is limited due to classroom capacity and therefore is available on a first-contact, first-reserved basis. To register, contact Lynne Atkins at 357-4563 ext. 109 or email adminasst@wasillaswcd.org.

Chuck Kaucic is district manager for Wasilla Soil and Water Conservation District.