Free Water Quality Testing Available for Some Washington County Residents

Just how safe is the water in your home? Washington County residents with private well or spring water can find out for free.

The Washington County Watershed Alliance and Southwest PA Environmental Health Project, with assistance from Carnegie Mellon University’s CREATE lab, are conducting a large-scale water monitoring project in Washington County. 

Their goal is to develop a device that will allow homeowners to routinely monitor their well or spring water quality. Researchers will also continue to monitor stream water quality through the WCWA datalogger program, to track and identify possible pollutants traveling through both groundwater and surface water.

Since 2006, 3,056 wells have been permitted and 1,436 drilled within Washington County, according to researchers. While natural gas extraction does not necessarily contaminate water sources, drilling-related activities such as poorly managed sites, leaky wastewater pits and spills can have an impact on surface water and groundwater, according to the researchers. By monitoring the water sources, citizens can be alerted in the event of significant changes in their water quality.

For more information on the study, contact Beth Kahkonen with the Washington County Watershed Alliance at 724-503-4785 or bethk@pawccd.org.