JACKSON, Wyo. — Water is life. In Teton County, all residents rely on the water draining through the Snake River Headwaters watershed to meet our cultural, commercial, and personal needs. Groundwater from the Snake River Sole Source Aquifer (SSA) provides drinking water for nearly all residents, and it is our only viable drinking water source. Unfortunately, our aquifer is already showing signs of stress. We have impaired creeks. We have persistent and emergent drinking water contamination issues in areas across the county. Protect Our Water Jackson Hole (POWJH) believes these canaries in the coal mine indicate the need for action to protect and restore the connected groundwater and surface waters, which are critical for the region’s health, economy, and way of life.
While elected officials, professional staff, and collaborating organizations and agencies are responsible for some of this work, the public also plays a significant role. These actions focus on protecting human and ecological health by managing household water use and wastewater systems in the best way possible. Residents of Teton County get their drinking water either from a Public Water System (PWS) or private wells and springs. PWSs, such as the Town of Jackson, are regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and must regularly test water quality and provide an annual Consumer Confidence Report.
In contrast, private wells and springs, which supply water to most rural areas, do not have such regulations. All Teton County residents using water from a private drinking water well are responsible for its testing, operation, and maintenance to ensure the water is safe to drink and for maintaining it so it does not contribute to groundwater contamination. The EPA and Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality recommend that private well owners test their water every six to 12 months.
To assist residents, POWJH is hosting a free drinking water well testing event. Any private well owner in Teton County, WY, can participate, and test kits will be available in English and Spanish. A POWJH EPA Environmental Education grant funds this program.
These kits contain a nitrate test strip and a bacteriological test that includes E. coli. Human health issues from nitrates include diminished oxygen-carrying capacity in the blood, and E. coli can cause mild to severe upset stomach, diarrhea, fever, and vomiting.
As kits are picked up, participants will receive instructions on how to use the kit and sign up for a specific sampling day to personally collect their water samples and return them to the POWJH office. After the samples are processed, POWJH will notify and work with participants to understand and use their test results. For more details, visit: powjh.org/well-testing.
To participate in the free well test program:
- Pick up a test kit from Monday, Oct. 21, through Wednesday, Oct. 23, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. at the POWJH office (The WaterShed, 250 E. Broadway Ave.).
- Collect the water sample in the morning.
- Return the test kit to the POWJH office on Oct. 31, Nov. 7 or Nov. 14 between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m., depending on sign-up date. Test kits must be analyzed the same day the sample is taken.
Other resources available to help residents check their drinking water quality include the Teton Conservation District (TCD), which offers well water test kits for $50 that screen for contaminants like arsenic, fluoride, nitrates, and bacteria, among others. Teton County Health Department Water Lab provides bacteriological testing for $20 on specific days.
By taking advantage of these resources, residents can ensure their water is safe to drink, take meaningful steps to protect the aquifer, and safeguard the community’s health and well-being. Testing drinking water is a crucial investment in personal health and environmental sustainability, helping to secure the future of Teton County’s precious water supply.
