Streetsboro – Author James Fennimore Cooper is quoted as saying, “The air, the water and the ground are free gifts to man and no one has the power to portion them out in parcels. Man must drink and breathe and walk and therefore each man has a right to his share of each.” If recent developments in the area have you questioning the quality of your share of these necessities, a local group may help put your mind at ease, at least as far as water is concerned.
Concerned Citizens – Ohio, will once again offer free well water testing on February, February 3, 2013, at 3:15 P.M. at the King of Glory Church next to the Streetsboro Post Office.
Trained water testers from the group will test water for the presence of chemicals and salts, should residents be concerned with nearby drilling sites. In addition to water testing, the group will hold a class entitled, “What Is Fracking?”
Mary Greer, a retired Hudson educator and presenter of the class, states, “We are excited to add a class on fracking. We also have a handout on Ohio’s geology, aquifers, the processes and chemicals involved with fracking. This will give participants the opportunity to learn about this new technology while they are waiting for their water testing results.” Water testing begins at 3:15, while the class starts 3:30p.m.
While these tests are not EPA certified, they do serve to provide a baseline in the event of future contamination. Monthly water testing can provide information to prove water quality consistency, should a resident ever need to show proof due to a contamination issue. For a complete water test to screen for all manner of chemicals, the group recommends homeowners contract with an EPA-certified testing facility.
To collect a sample, access water as close to your well as possible, before the water reaches your hot water tank or water softener. Run cold water for a full ten minutes prior to collecting a two cup sample in a clean large-mouth glass jar.
The testing continues to be so popular that Hiram Township and Paris Township branches of Concerned Citizens Ohio are currently being trained to provide free water testing in their areas.
Even so, a big group is always welcomed at the King of Glory church location, so residents from Portage and other counties should come early. For more information, call Mary Greer at (330)472-8086.
