When and where is the program held?
BACOG in partnership with Lake County Health Department offers bacteria and nitrates testing to residents on a semiannual basis in spring and fall. Visit the Water Testing Page for more information on the next program.
How much does the bacteria/nitrate test cost? (Level 1)
The test costs $16.00. The cost of the kit pays for the water sample to be analyzed for bacteria and nitrates.
How will I be notified of the results?
Lake County will send normal (negative) test results via e-mail, postal mail, or fax.
Residents whose samples test positive for coliform or nitrates will be contacted by phone within a couple days of returning the sample. Lake county Health Department may ask you some additional questions about how and where the sample was taken and will advise you of the proper course of action to address the issue.
Why do some people get an additional bottle?
Residents with chlorination treatment systems (often referred to as chlorine-feed or chlorine-injecting systems) need to use a T-bottle in addition to a regular bottle. This extra bottle has a white powder in it that neutralizes the chlorine and makes it possible to screen the sample for nitrate levels.
This is not a water softener and is not highly prevalent in the BACOG area.
How often should I test my well for bacteria and nitrates?
The CDC recommends private well owners test their well annually. You should also have your well tested if:
- There are known problems with well water in your area
- You have experienced problems near your well (i.e., flooding, land disturbances, and nearby waste disposal sites)
- You replace or repair any part of your well system
- You notice a change in water quality (i.e., taste, color, odor)
(source: http://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/drinking/private/wells/testing.html)
Do I need to live in Lake County to participate?No. Residents from Lake, Cook, McHenry, and Kane County that are in and around the BACOG area may participate through this program. Lake County Health Department will test any water samples through this program that are return.
I need to have my well chlorinated because of a positive coliform result. Can I do that myself?
Unless you are familiar with water wells and are comfortable working
with chemicals, the well chlorination should be done by a licensed water
well contractor, pump installer or licensed plumber (particularly for
point driven wells or a well in a pit).
If you have water treatment devices, consult with your water treatment company before beginning the chlorination.
Water Well Chlorination Procedures - Lake County Health Department
(Source: Lake County Health Department http://www.lakecountyil.gov/Health/want/Documents/WellChlorination.pdf)
I receive water from a public supplier (village/subdivision). Is this test recommended for me?
Private wells are unregulated after the initial installation of the wall therefore it is the homeowners responsibility to test their well for bacteria, nitrates, and other water quality parameters. Public suppliers like the Village of Barrington, Lake Barrington Shores, Wynstone, Fairhaven, and Village of Tower Lakes are all strictly regulated by federal and state standards. Annual Water Quality reports for public suppliers are available on the BACOG Water Quality Testing Page or by contacting your public supplier.
What other types of tests are available for private well owners?
BACOG facilitates three levels of water testing for its program on public education, committee outreach, and groundwater quality & supply research in the Barrington area:
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Level 1 Testing
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Level 2 Testing
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Level 3 Testing
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Partner: Lake
County Health
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Partner: Illinois
State Water Survey
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Partner:
Private Laboratory
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Schedule: Once or twice per year
Kits are sold from
village/township offices for one week and later dropped off at a central
location or the laboratory.
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Schedule:
By appointment
(8 residents per test group)
Residents will be
contacted at a later date to pick-up and drop off a sample on one Monday per
month.
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Schedule: By
Appointment
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Cost: $10-16
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Cost: $35-50
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Cost: $105-115
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Test Parameters:
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Test Parameters:
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Test Parameters:
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Coliform Bacteria and
Nitrates
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Iron, Manganese,
Calcium, Magnesium, Hardness, Sodium, Fluoride, Chloride, Nitrate, Sulfate,
Alkalinity, Total Dissolved Solids, Turbidity, pH, Color, Odor, Arsenic,
Barium, Boron, Chromium, Copper, Nickel, and Zinc.
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Total Organic Carbons,
Oxidation Reduction Potential, Specific Conductivity, Orthophosphate,
Potassium, and Aluminum.
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This is a basic
test recommended annually
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$35 test for untreated
water sample only
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Total Organic Carbons
is an indicator for VOCs
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$50 test for
untreated, softened, and reverse-osmosis filters (will indicate the effectiveness of the water softener)
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This test provides
important additional information about water characteristics that help in
water supply research at BACOG.
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Email bacog@bacog.org for more information about second level testing or visit the Water Quality Testing Page for more information about the next Level 1 testing program.
Residents
with immediate concerns about their water quality have a variety of options for
testing through public and private laboratories. Use the phone number list in the BACOG
Homeowners Guide to Well and Septic information for Illinois Department of
Public Health, County Health Department and more agencies with professionals that can help.
If you don't see your question answered here, submit a question to bacog@bacog.org
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