District board of health to offer 20 free well water inspections

Most well water problems cannot be seen, smelled or tasted.
AUSTINTOWN -- Free well water tests, worth $25 each, are being offered on a first-come, first-served basis by the Mahoning County District Board of Health to the first 20 Mahoning County residents who come to the district office at 50 Westchester Drive on Monday.
The purpose of the free testing is to promote annual bacterial testing of water systems, to raise awareness of National Drinking Water Week, May 7-14, and the vital role water plays in daily life, said Matthew Stefanak, Mahoning County health commissioner.
"You cannot see, smell or taste most water problems, so you need to have it tested by a laboratory," Stefanak said.
The district board of health recommends that homeowners maintain records and have a routine annual water well inspection that checks or tests for:
General water quality: odor, color or cloudiness.
Sanitary conditions: cracked caps, gaps, or spacing between the well casing and the soil around it, holes or cracks in the casing, and location.
Contaminants: bacteria, minerals, metals, pesticides, or chemicals such as nitrate and fluoride.
Mechanical aspects: Flow, water levels, pressure tank and switch contact.
Record keeping: Obtain a copy of the well drilling log and create a maintenance, inspection and testing log.
Maintenance work: Utilize a registered contractor listed with the Ohio Department of Health.