The Kane-DuPage Soil and Water Conservation District is promoting groundwater safety by sponsoring a water testing program to test private wells for nitrates, various pesticides and metals.

A $45 test kit checks water samples for nitrate, nitrite, ammonia, chloride, sulfate, soluble phosphorus, silica and specific conductivity.

A pesticide screen for $80 will indicate the presence of triazine herbicides and Lasso, Dual or Harness. The metals test is $90 and tests for 23 different metals.

Water test kits are available from the Soil and Water Conservation District, 2315 Dean Street, Suite 100, St. Charles or Kane County Farm Bureau, 2N710 Randall Road, St. Charles from Feb.19 through March 1, 2019.

Water samples must be returned March 4, 2019. Kits must be purchased upon pick-up.

Heidelburg College Water Quality Laboratory in Tiffin, OH, will perform the water testing. Results are mailed in 4-6 weeks directly to participants. All results are confidential.

If you have further questions about the program call the Soil & Water District office at 630/584-7960, Ext. 3.

SOURCE: Kane-DuPage Soil and Water Conservation District news release