Will County Health Department available to test well water

JOLIET – If you live in a house that receives its water from a private well, getting it tested is as easy as a trip to the Will County Health Department.

The testing lab is located at the main building, 501 Ella Ave. in Joliet. But you can also use the health department’s northern branch, at 323 Quadrangle in Bolingbrook, or the eastern branch, at 5601 Manhattan-Monee Road in Monee, as your contact point.

Stop by an office, pick up a sterile water bottle for each test you need done and return the filled bottles on ice to that branch. Samples dropped off at the northern and eastern branch offices will be transported to the lab in Joliet.

Will County Health Department Environmental Division Director Tom Casey said those whose homes have well water are recommended to take this initiative.

“Cities that have their own water systems are required by the Illinois Department of Public Health to be tested monthly,” Environmental Health Department Lab Manager Trisha Kautz said in a news release. “But if you have a well, it’s really up to you. And we’ve always said, you should test at least once a year.”

Kautz says residents can test their water for nitrate levels, fluoride, overall hardness of the water, and routine bacteria. The results will be returned to you, along with recommendations for any action you may need to take.

Nitrate testing is especially important if you have children under six months of age, or if a pregnant woman or a woman trying to become pregnant lives in the home.

“A lot of times, there are no issues,” Kautz said. “But it often depends on where you live. For instance, those near a farm field or a golf course may have a high nitrate level due to fertilizers used. And if so, we recommend that they install a reverse osmosis system.”

Fluoride, on the other hand, is something you want in your water to assist in fighting tooth decay. If your fluoride level is too low, your dentist may recommend purchasing fluorinated bottled water.

Knowing the hardness of your water is very important if you are installing a water softener. Hardness is caused by a variety of metals and compounds such as calcium and magnesium. The harder the water, the more soap and detergents that are needed for cleaning and laundering.

Finally, there is the importance of testing for routine bacteria, total coliform, and E.coli. Coliform in drinking water usually indicates that contamination of some kind is entering the water supply, meaning that action should be taken.

And E.coli, which can be pathogenic, must be taken very seriously.

The Will County Health Department says the best time for testing your water for bacteria is during the spring or summer, following a rainy period. It should also be done after repairing or replacing an old well pump, or piping; as well as after drilling a new well.

For more information, visit willcountyhealth.org.