By Harry Looney – June 2022

Several of our members asked question during the LACA 2021 Survey about how they can get their well water tested.  One of the best resources available to Virginians is the Virginia Household Water Quality Program managed by the Virginia Cooperative Extension.  You can go to the web page for this program by typing https://www.wellwater.bse.vt.edu/vahwqp.php into your favorite internet browser or by just clicking on the image for the program in this newsletter.

Some of the more useful resources on the program’s web page include a brochure covering ten tips for managing your private well water supply and details on Well Water Testing and Drinking Water Clinics held by the Virginia Cooperative Extension.  The clinics cover how to collect a good water sample, how the analysis is performed and how the results are interpreted.  The 2022 schedule for the clinics has not yet been posted on their website but it is expected soon. 

Cost for the lab analysis is $60 according to their website.  There are a huge number of commercial labs where you can get your water tested anytime you want to check it.  Costs vary widely based on the number of parameters tested but some commercial labs charge up to $300 for a single test.  A listing of commercial labs is available on the Virginia Cooperative Extension website or click here to go to the document.

Contact your local Virginia Cooperative Extension office to find out when the next Drinking Water Clinic is going to be held in your area.  You can contact the local Virginia Cooperative Extension office at:

•  Louisa: 200 E. Main Street, Louisa, VA 23093, (540) 967-3422 

            Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Monday – Friday)

•  Spotsylvania:  8800 Courthouse Road, The Marshall Center, Room   202, Spotsylvania, VA 22553 (540) 507-7570.  The Marshall Center is   currently locked to the public.  Please call to make an appointment   to meet with an agent.

           Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Monday – Friday)

• Orange: 146 North Madison Road, Suite 102, Orange, VA 22960 (540) 672-1361

           Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Monday – Friday)

Interested LACA members are welcome to volunteer in support of LACA’s Water Quality Monitoring Program.  Contact the Water Quality Project Officer at this link if you are interested in learning more or volunteering.

harry.looney@lakeannavirginia.org