JACKSON, Wyo. — Protect Our Water Jackson Hole (POWJH) is providing free test kits to community members to check the safety of their well drinking water.
To participate in the program, any private well owner in Teton County can pick up a test kit at the POWJH office, the WaterShed, on 250 E. Broadway Ave. from Monday, Oct. 13, until Wednesday, Oct. 15, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Test kits will be available in English and Spanish.
“All Teton County residents using water from a private drinking water well or spring are solely responsible for its testing, operation and maintenance to ensure the water is safe to drink,” POWJH said via press release. “The EPA recommends that private well owners test their water a minimum of once per year.”
According to POWJH, the well testing program will look at two contaminants of concern — nitrates and E. coli bacteria. Human health issues from nitrates include diminished oxygen-carrying capacity in our blood, and E. coli can cause mild to severe upset stomach, diarrhea, fever and vomiting.
The EPA’s current standard for maximum contaminant level (MCL) for nitrate in drinking water is 10 mg/L. The EPA’s MCL standard was established in 1962, to protect against blue-baby syndrome. Current studies have indicated that chronic exposure at lower levels starting at 2 mg/L could be associated with enhanced risk of digestive system cancers, such as colorectal cancer, and thyroid issues in adults. Chronic exposure to nitrates could also be linked to adverse reproductive outcomes, including low birth weight, preterm birth or central nervous system defects in infants, per POWJH.
Participants can click on one of the following dates to schedule their test pick up:
Prior to using the test, collect a water sample in the morning. Test kits must be analyzed the same day the sample is taken for transport to the Health Department lab. Participants then need to sign up to return their test kit on a following Thursday, either Oct. 16, 23 or 30.
