Safe Drinking Water Clinic

Over one million homes and farms in Pennsylvania get their drinking water from a private well or spring. The Safe Drinking Water Clinic is designed for people who manage one of these private drinking water supplies. We’ll cover how to test and protect your well or spring, and when water treatment might make sense. We will also discuss well and spring system inspection and maintenance so you will know how to protect your family, your property, and the groundwater we share.

Attendees of this one-day, two-hour, complimentary workshop will have the opportunity to test their home’s drinking water. Free water testing is limited to one sample per household.

Testing for all of the following may be offered: bacteria, pH, total dissolved solids, and nitrate. Test results are not official but are instead offered to help participants decide how soon they should consider additional testing by a state-accredited laboratory. At a minimum, Penn State recommends testing every 12-14 months for bacteria (total coliform bacteria and E.coli.), and every three years for pH and total dissolved solids.

Who is this for?

• Anyone who gets their drinking water from a private water supply (well, spring, cistern)

What will you learn?

• Groundwater basics
• Proper well construction
• How to protect your water supply
• Water testing and treatment
• Basic design and function of a private septic system (sand mound or drain field)

Pre-registration is required HERE.