Hernando County residents can learn about the quality of their well water during an online workshop hosted by the Hernando County UF/IFAS Extension Service and the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) on Aug. 24.
According to Water Resources Regional Specialized Extension Agent, Yilin Zhuang, Ph.D., roughly 12 percent of Floridians rely on private wells for home consumption. Though public water systems are monitored under the federal Safe Drinking Water Act, homeowners are responsible for managing and protecting the quality of private well water.
While the state has identified septic systems as well as fertilizer used for agricultural and resident purposes as major sources of nitrogen, bacterial contamination from flood water, septic systems and animal waste are also primary concerns, in Hernando County, he said.
“This workshop aims to educate Hernando County private well and septic system users how their land use activities are connected to the groundwater quality,” Zhuang said.
Participants many also sign up for free water bacteria sampling testing funded by SWFWMD
The workshop will take place via Zoom from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Tuesday Aug. 24.
To register visit https://hernandowell2021.eventbrite.com The registration deadline is Aug. 20 at 12 p.m.
