The Annual BACOG Private Well Water Testing Event will be held Tuesday, October 1, 2024, 11:00am - 6:30pm at The Barrington Area Library. Purchase water testing kits $16.00 from September 16-30 at Deer Park Village Hall 8am-4pm.
Most Barrington area residents drink groundwater that is drawn from the shallow aquifer system. While the state requires public water supplies to be tested for a wide range of contaminants on a routine basis, there is no regulation that requires testing of private wells that serve just one or two households. Households with private wells are advised to test for bacteria and nitrates every year to detect these invisible, odorless contaminants. Bacteria and nitrates can result from animal, insect or human waste or fertilizers reaching the well water and can cause illness in humans.
On October 1, residents may drop off their water sample kits at the BACOG Event at the Barrington Area Library (505 N. Northwest Highway) anytime between the hours of 11:00am and 6:30pm. Although primarily a drop-off event, BACOG Staff will be there with information and take-aways, along with the Lake County Health Department representatives, who will be available to residents for water testing questions. Test results will be emailed to homeowners within two weeks. Any homeowner with positive results for bacteria or elevated nitrate levels will be contacted within 48 hours by the Lake County Health Department.