The Virginia Cooperative Extension in Louisa is hosting a Drinking Water Clinic from 6-7 p.m. on Oct. 11.

This is a brief informational meeting about the program and participants will pick up a sample kit with instructions on how to collect the household water sample. The VCE will give participants a specified location to drop off the sample and on Nov. 22 at 6 p.m. they will return to receive the confidential test results, along with an explanation and information to handle problems (if they are present).

The samples are collected in iced coolers and taken to the Biological Systems Engineering Water Quality Lab at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg for analysis.
The purpose behind the clinic is to test water for homeowners who have a well, spring or cistern they rely on as a water source. Homeowners on public water have their drinking source tested by the providers, but those on wells, springs or cisterns do not.

The goal of the Virginia Household Water Quality Program, according to the VCE, is “to improve the water quality of Virginians with private water supplies.” The clinics are being held across the state. The cost is $43, which includes the sample analysis. If done privately, the VCE states, it could cost about $200.

The sample will be analyzed for the following: iron, sodium, fluoride, Coliform bacteria, E. coli bacteria, pH, copper, manganese, sulfate, nitrate, saturation index, chloride, hardness and total dissolved solids.

You do not need to be a resident of Louisa County to attend. The kickoff meeting is at Louisa County Arts Center, 212 Fredericksburg Ave. in Louisa. To register, call the VCE-Louisa at (540) 967-3422.