Valley Water Collaborative Celebrates Two-Year Anniversary for Regional Well Testing Program

BY PARRY KLASSEN / Executive Director, Valley Water Collaborative

Two years into its free well testing program and Valley Water Collaborative (VWC) has met three major milestones:

• 1000 applications to its program;

• canvassed 1000 households on the outskirts of Modesto/Turlock with private wells; and

• 408 residences receiving free bottled water or in-house treatment after well testing found contamination.

Since the program launch in May 2021, VWC has tested more than 537 private drinking water wells in search of contamination from nitrate, arsenic, uranium and other groundwater contaminants.

“Our team has taken on this daunting task and deserves kudos for reaching those numbers; and we still have a long way to go,” says Parry Klassen, Executive Director of VWC. “Studies show more than 4000 wells could be contaminated with nitrate in our region. Our goal is to reach every household and offer free well testing. And where needed, provide free replacement water.”

VWC, a local organization of farmers, businesses and cities, has been offering free well testing to rural residents since May 2021. Thanks to a $5.5 million grant from the State Water Resources Control Board and its SAFER/Safe and Affordable Drinking Water Fund program, VWC in 2022 expanded from a nitrate testing-only program to all major contaminants historically found in local groundwater aquifers.

Since May 2022, VWC tested 305 wells, some of which had uranium, arsenic and/or 1,2,3-TCP above state limits. Nitrate was also found above limits in 157 wells. Residences with nitrate exceedances are immediately given free bottled water, as are those with other exceedances who reside in a disadvantaged community. A novel system that extracts drinking water from humidity is being pilot tested on four residences. To date, an adequate amount of drinking water is being produced by the systems, which resemble solar panels.

VWC continues to publicize their free well testing program including hosting a resource fair at Central Valley High School in Ceres on May 13 from 1-4 pm.

To apply for free well testing, please visit our website, www.valleywaterc. org . Follow VWC on social media Facebook Instagram