OTTAWA - The LaSalle County Soil & Water Conservation District is participating in a free, confidential Nitrate Water Testing program.
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OTTAWA - The LaSalle County Soil & Water Conservation District is participating in a free, confidential Nitrate Water Testing program. The program was designed to engage farmers in the nutrient and water quality issues facing agriculture by providing information on possible nutrient losses from their production operations.
The test is meant to provide a way for farmers and landowners to confidentially test their water (tile, ditch, stream) for nitrate nitrogen. By comparing their own water testing results to other known concentrations and research results, farmers can begin to understand their own impact on water quality and consider management practices, which may reduce their losses.
The testing equipment is provided in part by Illinois Corn Growers, the IL Council for Best Management Practices and the Zea Mays Foundation.
The results are simply a snapshot in time of ambient nutrient levels in water collected from tile drainage, surface runoff or nearby streams. Nutrient levels in runoff water can vary greatly depending on the time of year, temperature, rainfall and in-field practices.
A measurement of flow (the volume of water leaving a site) is also needed to determine the total nutrient loading into a waterbody and a measurement of acreage being drained is necessary to know the pounds per acre leaving the field. These test results are just a starting point for learning and for discussion of practices available for farmers to assist in reducing nutrient losses.
Sample collection instructions
Sample containers should be clean and free of any residual chemicals or detergents.
Water samples need to be at least 8 ounces.
Samples should be taken as close to the testing time as possible (preferably within 48 hours).
Samples should be kept refrigerated if not being tested immediately.
An estimate of flow will allow additional calculations (load in pounds/day). Simply record the seconds it takes to fill a bucket of a known volume (this only applies to tile drain samples).
With the load calculation and an estimate of acres being drained, the pounds/acre/day can also be determined.
Open house testing will be done from 9-11 a.m. at LaSalle County SWCD office, 1691 N. 31st Road, Ottawa on the following dates: May 2, 9 and 30; June 6 and 27; July 5 and 25; Aug. 1, 22 and 29; and Sept. 19 and 26.
For more information, call Vicki Heath at (815) 433-0551, ext. 3.
