Peoria City/County Health Department and the Peoria County Farm Bureau join the National Ground Water Awareness Association to remind residents it’s time for your water well checkup in support of National Ground Water Awareness Week March 9-15. “Just as you check your furnace or smoke detector batteries seasonally, spring is a good season to have an annual water well checkup before the peak water use season begins,” according to Wil Hayes, Director Environmental Health at the Peoria City/County Health Department.
Why is it a good idea to have water wells checked annually?
Wells can provide high-quality drinking water, and about half the U.S. population receives its drinking water from wells. An annual checkup is the best way to ensure problem-free service and quality water. Preventive maintenance can also be less costly than emergency maintenance, as well as prolonging the life of your well. Hayes further recommends you test your water whenever there is a change in taste, odor, or appearance, or when the system is serviced.
Free Water Well Test Kits in support of National Groundwater Awareness Week.
The Health Department is partnering with the Farm Bureau to provide free water well sampling test kits and an annual water well inspection checklist to Peoria County residents. The sampling kits will test for coliform/E.coli and nitrates/nitrites in well water. During National Groundwater Awareness Week, residents can pick up the free kits Monday-Friday, March 10-14, at the Peoria County Farm Bureau, 1716 N. University or at the Peoria City/County Health Department, 2116 N. Sheridan, Peoria.
Hayes also recommends that well owners:
• Keep hazardous chemicals, such as paint, fertilizer, pesticides, and motor oil far away from your well.
• Maintain proper separation between your well and buildings, septic systems, and livestock or animal kennels.
• Periodically, but at least once a year, check the well cover or well cap on top of the well casing to ensure it is in good repair and securely attached. Its seal should keep out insects and rodents.
• Have an Illinois Licensed Water Well Contractor seal any unused wells on your property.
• Keep your well records in a safe place. These include the construction report, and annual water well system maintenance and water testing results.
For more information on Ground Water Awareness and other important Public Health issues, visit the Peoria City/County Health Department website at www.pcchd.org.