PAW PAW, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – The Van Buren Conservation District’s “Healthy Water Week” is being held this week from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday, August 21 through Friday, August 25.
The week long event will take place at the Van Buren Conservation District Office (USDA Center), 1035 East Michigan Avenue in Paw Paw, and organizers say the event is free and open to the public with information, snacks, and take-home activities for kids.
“We’re highlighting some of the actions people can take in their homes and yards to keep their environment clean and healthy,” says Erin Fuller of the Van Buren Conservation District. “People don’t always know how to properly dispose of household chemicals, test their well water or maintain their septic systems, so [we’re
here] to help with some of these less-than-fun tasks.”
Giveaways at the event will include tote bags, reusable straws, jar openers made from recycled tires, snacks, and more.
Staff will also be on hand perform free well water screening for nitrates and nitrites on site. The screening is open to all Van Buren County residents that are on private water systems (non-municipal wells) for drinking water.
Those interested in getting on site screening should follow these directions:
• Pick a tap that supplies water that has not run through any treatment devices (water softener, carbon filter, RO system, etc.). An outdoor faucet often works well.
• Run the water for 20-30 minutes before collecting the sample to flush the water pressure tank and plumbing to collect a valid sample. Do not sample
through a hose.
• Any clean container can be used for sample collection. Rinse the sample bottle and lid thoroughly in the water to be sampled, then fill and cap the bottle.
• Label the bottle with name, date, and the well name (ex. main home, back yard, barn) using a waterproof pen.
• Keep the sample dark and cold for up to 24 hours before bringing it to the office for screening.
Questions can be directed to the Van Buren Conservation District at 269-657-4030, Extension #5.
