CONTACT
Leah Bucco-White, Communications and Legislative Services, (402) 471-9356
leah.bucco-white@nebraska.gov
Lincoln – The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services is partnering with the Environmental Protection Agency to open a mobile lab in three Nebraska communities. The lab will offer free water testing for private well owners March 21-24.
Recent flood conditions can pose threats to the quality of private water supplies. Flooded private water wells or wells suspected of being impacted by flooding may need to be tested to ensure that they are safe. Cloudiness or a change in taste or smell are signs of possible contamination. However, if there is any indication that the water supply has been breached by flood waters, even without noticeable changes in taste or smell, residents are encouraged to test their well water.
The mobile lab will be available in:
Fremont – March 21 and 22
March 21 – 2:30-6:30 p.m.
March 22 – 7:30-11:30 a.m.
Location – 2400 North Lincoln St.
Norfolk – March 22 and 23
March 22 - 2:30-6:30 p.m.
March 23 - 7:30-11:30 a.m.
Location – 302 West Phillip Ave.
Verdigre – March 23 and 24
March 23 – 2:30-6:30 p.m.
March 24 – 7:30-11:30 a.m.
Location – 301 South Main St.
Here's how it works:
- Pick up a free testing kit at either the mobile lab location during the hours specified or from one of the local health departments below ahead of time.
- Get a water sample from the private well.
- Bring sample back to mobile lab for testing.
Local health department locations:
- Three Rivers Public Health Department
2400 North Lincoln St.
Fremont - Elkhorn Logan Valley Public Health Department
2104 21st Circle
Wisner - North Central District Health Department
422 East Douglas St.
O'Neill
Nebraskans can also request kits from the Nebraska Public Health Environmental Laboratory to test for coliform bacteria. Order kits online at http://www.nebraska.gov/dhhs/water-test-kits/private.html or by calling (402) 471-3935 between 8 and 5 Monday through Friday.
More helpful information is available for private well owners on the DHHS flooding resources page - http://www.dhhs.ne.gov/flooding.