Farm water testing – Testing your tile, ditch or stream water for nitrates is an important part of your conservation efforts on your farm. A water testing program for nitrates is being conducted throughout the state. Water kits are currently available at Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) offices. The DeKalb County SWCD office has established dates for testing farm water. Farmers may bring in water samples on Tuesdays – July 5, Aug. 2, Aug. 23, Aug. 30, Sept. 20, Sept. 27, Oct. 18 and Oct. 25, from 9 to 11 a.m. on these days.
Water samples need to be at least eight ounces. Test results will be confidential.
This free water testing program is designed to engage farmers in the nutrient and water quality issues facing agriculture by providing information on possible nutrient losses from farming.
This water testing program is being sponsored by the Illinois Farm Bureau, Illinois Corn Growers, Illinois Council on Best Management Practices and the Zea Mays Foundation as part of the Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy. For more information contact Dean Johnson at 815-756-3234, extension 3, at the SWCD office, located in the Farm Bureau Building.
Rural water well testing – Rural residents in DeKalb County can have their well water tested through a program offered by the Farm Bureau in August. The water screening will include extensive testing for commonly used agricultural chemicals by Heidelberg Laboratories based in Ohio.
Water testing kits may be obtained Aug. 22-26 at the DeKalb County Farm Bureau office. The water sample should be taken on Aug. 29 and be returned to the Farm Bureau office the same day.
Water samples are screened for methachlor and alachlor herbicides like Aatrex, Dual, Harness and Marksman. Aatrazine, found in Aatrex, Marksman and other combination herbicides, is one of the most prevalent herbicides found in private water supplies. Other screenings includes nitrates, nitrites, ammonia, chloride sulfates, soluble reactive phosphorus, silica and conductivity.
Cost of the testing is $85, payable to Heidelberg Labs, when acquiring a kit at the Farm Bureau office. The water screening program is being offered to Farm Bureau rural members.
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