NDSU Offering Water Quality Tests at Field Days

The North Dakota State University Extension Service will offer water quality testing during NDSU Research Extension Centers’ annual field day events this year.

“If you have a private well or question the quality of your livestock water, this would be a great opportunity to have it tested by Extension water quality specialists at no charge,” says Roxanne Johnson, NDSU Extension water quality associate.

Samples should be collected in any clean plastic bottle capable of holding 15 to 20 ounces.

To obtain your sample, you should allow the water run for 30 seconds and then rinse the bottle three times before filling, according to Johnson.

Substances that Extension specialists will test for on site include nitrates and total dissolved solids. They’ll also test for pH (acidity or alkalinity) and hardness. This is a screening only.

The New Ulm, Minn.-based Minnesota Valley Testing Laboratories also is offering to test water for a coliform group of microorganisms that includes E. coli. The cost for this test is $7. Johnson will accept samples for testing and deliver them to the Minnesota Valley Testing’s laboratory in Bismarck.

Johnson says the sample for this test must be collected in a sterile bottle. To obtain a bottle, contact your local county Extension office. This container may contain a chlorine inhibitor, so do not rinse the container prior to use.

Here are the steps to follow when collecting a sample:

• Remove the aerator from your faucet if it has one.
• Sterilize the end of the faucet with a flame.
• Remove the bottle cap, taking care not to touch the inside of the cap or container.
• Run the water for 30 seconds to remove stagnant water from the system.
• Fill the bottle to the line indicated or near the top.
• Immediately replace the bottle cap and refrigerate.

Specimens should be analyzed within 48 hours, so collect your sample close to the time you leave for the field day.

Bacteriological results will be sent to you from NDSU as soon as possible.

Here are the dates and field day locations where you can get your water tested:

• June 26 - Central Grasslands Research Extension Center, Streeter
• July 8 - Hettinger REC
• July 9 - Dickinson REC
• July 10 - Williston REC
• July 14 - Agronomy Seed Farm, Casselton
• July 15 - Carrington REC
• July 16 - North Central REC, Minot
• July 17 - Langdon REC
• July 29 - Oakes Irrigation Research Center

If you have any questions about water testing, contact Johnson at (701) 231-8926 or roxanne.m.johnson@ndsu.edu.

NDSU Agriculture Communication