By Robert Medley
Managing Editor
Water quality issues have continued to be a concern in Canadian County with high levels of nitrates reported.
Now the Oklahoma Water Resources Center is conducting a well water analysis for residents of Canadian County.
Samples will be accepted at the Canadian County Educational Building from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 13. The results will be provided directly to the residents in Canadian County. Well owners in Canadian County who would like to have their well water analyzed for free are encouraged to contact the Canadian County Extension office for more information about how to collect a sample, according to a news release from the Oklahoma Water Resources Center.
Kevin Wagner, Oklahoma Water Resource Center director said, “In 2018 we surveyed citizens across Oklahoma on what their biggest water resource concerns were. Consistently across the state, Oklahoman’s key concern was drinking water quality.” Wagner wrote in a statement released by the center.
OSU assistant professor Jeff Sadler reports, “This program helps begin addressing this concern by helping citizens relying on a private well to get their well water screened for key contaminants and then provide them with information on how to address any concerns identified,” Sadler wrote in the news release. Sadler is an OSU assistant professor and water resources extension specialist, the release reads. He is not the same Jeff Sadler who is the mayor of Okarche.
Okarche residents have been under boil orders for their drinking water due to high levels of nitrates. The town is under a consent order from the Department of Environmental Quality to build a water treatment plant. Agricultural and industrial water uses contribute to the high levels of nitrates detected in the water.
The well water samples will be screened for nitrates, total dissolved solids, pH and bacteria. The program is free through the Canadian County Extension service with financial support provided by the Oklahoma Water Resources Center, the news release reads.
For more information contact Sadler at 405-744-8429 or email jim at jeff.sadler@okstate.edu.
Or contact Kyle Worthington, 405-262-0155 or email Worthington at kyle.worthington@okstate.edu.
