BERRIEN SPRINGS — The Berrien Conservation District and the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program will sponsor a free drinking water well screening from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesday, June 26 and Thursday, June 27.

Berrien County residents can bring samples to the Berrien Conservation District Office,  3334 Edgewood Road, in Berrien Springs.

Samples from drinking water wells will be screened for nitrate and nitrite. The screening is open to everyone who uses a personal well for drinking water.

Forms should be filled out in advance and are available at the Conservation District office or online at berriencd.org, said Berrien Conservation District staff. Attendees may fill out a form at the event as well.

The service is for private drinking water wells only. Public water supplies are tested regularly. A special bottle is not required. Any small, clean jar will work, and one ounce of water is enough, said staff.

Staff gave the following directions for prospective attendees, asking them to collect samples just before bringing them to be sampled. Samples must be less than 48 hours old for a valid nitrate result.

1. Fill out the water sample information sheet. These will also be available when attendees bring their samples in.

2. Pick a tap that supplies water that has not run through any treatment devices, like a water softener or carbon filter. An outdoor faucet often works well.

3. Run the water for 20 to 30 minutes before collecting the sample. Do not sample through a hose. Rinse the sample bottle and lid thoroughly in the water to be sampled.

4. Label the bottle with one’s name, date and the well name using a waterproof pen.

5. Keep the sample in a dark space at a cold temperature until it is dropped off.

All results are confidential, said staff. Results, as well as information on what to do should nitrite or nitrates show up in drinking water, will be made privately available after a few minutes of testing.

Staff said prospective attendees can receive more information from the Berrien Conservation District office at (269) 471-9111 ext. 3, at berriencd.org, or by email at suzanne.forraht@mi.nacdnet.net.