Well Water Testing Available

There is still time to get reduced fee water testing during August for individual well water users.  Residents can have their well water sampled for coliform bacteria and nitrate from the McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) for $18 until August 29.

Testing your well regularly is the only way to determine whether well water is safe to drink as many contaminants are colorless and odorless.  Water from a public or municipal water system is regularly tested for contaminants regulated by Federal and state standards. 

Bacteria and chemicals can get into well water and contaminate it in different ways. Some bacteria and chemicals occur naturally.  Contaminants such as nitrate can come from animal waste, wastewater, flooded sewers, polluted storm water runoff, fertilizers, agricultural runoff, or decaying plants.  High levels of nitrate in drinking water can cause illness in young children and pregnant women.  Coliform bacteria are microbes found in the digestive systems of warm-blooded animals, in soil, on plants, and in surface water.   

Sterile sample containers are required and are available at the locations below. Sampling kits can be picked up at Health Department locations in Woodstock, Crystal Lake or at one of eight drop-off centers.  Samples can be dropped off for testing on Tuesday mornings between 9:00am and 12:00pm.Algonquin Townships Office, 3702 Route 14, Crystal Lake (847) 639-2329

• Dorr Township Office, 1039 Lake Street, Woodstock (815) 338-0125
• McHenry County Dept of Health, 2200 N Seminary Ave, Woodstock (815) 334-4585
• McHenry County Dept of Health, 100 N Virginia St, Crystal Lake (815) 459-5151
• McHenry Township Office, 3703 Richmond Road, McHenry (815) 385-5605
• Nunda Township Office, 3510 Bay Road, Crystal Lake (815) 459-4011
• City of Marengo, City Hall, 134 E. Prairie Street, Marengo (815) 568-7112
• City of Harvard, Police Department, 201 W Front Street, Harvard (815) 943-4431
• Richmond Township Office, 7812 South Route 31, Richmond (815) 678-0077
• Grafton Township Office, 10109 Vine Street, Huntley (847) 669-3328

For more information, contact MCDH’s Environmental Health Division at 815-334-4585 or visit www.mcdh.info.