Cerro Gordo County offering free water testing

     The Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health is looking to collect a water sample from private well owners and/or users in the county. It is recommended that well owners have their water tested annually for bacteria and nitrates. The Health Department received a grant from Iowa’s Grants to Counties program to improve the safety of the local unregulated drinking water in private wells, therefore the tests will be offered FREE of charge as of July 1, 2016.

     The tests will examine the water for contaminants that include bacteria and nitrates that may be harmful to the well user’s health. The property owner does not need to be present during the collection of the samples. The Health Department simply needs their permission. The samples will be collected from an outside water source. 

     “Regular water testing and well maintenance ensure that you and your family are drinking safe water from your private well,” said Sophia Walsh, Environmental Health Specialist, Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health.  “Your local health department strives to make this an easy process by coming onsite to do a free water test and well inspection at your convenience.”

            Again, testing will be provided to private well owners and/or users FREE of charge after July 1, 2016. Call the Health Department at 641-421-9300 to schedule a time to collect the water samples for testing. For more information visit us online at www.cghealth.com.