Free testing of private water supplies available in some Pa. counties

PITTSBURGH — The Colcom Foundation’s grant program Marcellus Environmental Fund has secured $150,000 for the Headwaters Quality Drinking Water Project to provide low income families in Jefferson, Elk, Potter, Cameron, Clinton, Centre and McKean counties with funding to secure chain of custody water sample analyses of their private water supplies prior to Marcellus Shale gas well drilling activities.

Workshops

Additionally, there will be mandatory educational workshops and material explaining how to interpret the water quality results, identify when things become toxic and explaining what the homeowner should do in case something does happen to their water supply.

RC&D will partner with various organizations and agencies including PA-DEP, Penn State Extension and the local school districts and conservation districts.

Testing will be conducted in Jefferson and Clearfield counties now through Dec. 2. The mandatory educational workshop for Jefferson County will be Dec. 15 from 5-7 p.m. and the Clearfield County workshop will be held Dec. 14 from 5-7 p.m.

Testing in Elk and Centre counties will be conducted Jan. 9 through Feb. 17. The mandatory Elk County workshop will be held March 8 from 5-7 p.m. and the Centre County workshop will be held March 7 from 5-7 p.m.

Testing in Cameron and Clinton counties will be conducted March 12 through April 20. The Cameron County workshop will be held May 10 from 5-7 p.m. and the Clinton County workshop will be held May 9 from 5-7 p.m.

Testing in McKean and Potter counties will be conducted May 14 through June 22. The McKean County workshop will be held July 11 from 5-7 p.m. and the Potter County workshop will be held July 12 from 5-7 p.m.

Locations

All workshop locations will be determined at a later date.

For more information contact Kelly Williams at 814-765-2629 or kwilliamsccd@atlanticbbn.net. Applications can be obtained at the Clearfield County Conservation District, 511 Spruce St. in Clearfield, or online at www.headwaterspa.org.