CORVALLIS - During National Drinking Water Week, May 2-8, the Oregon State University Extension Service Well Water Program is offering a series of workshops aimed at rural homeowners on how to efficiently maintain drinking water wells and septic systems.

Workshops will be held in Salem, May 3; Albany, May 5; and Eugene, May 6. They will be presented by Gail Glick Andrews, OSU Extension water quality educator.

"Rural residents are usually responsible for their own drinking water supply, and their waste water disposal system," said Andrews. "This series of workshops will cover the steps necessary to safely maintain these systems."

The May 3 workshop in Salem will be at the Marion County office of the OSU Extension Service, 3180 Center Street N.E. An afternoon session will be held from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., and the workshop will be repeated that evening from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. There is a $5 fee for attendance, which covers the first two people from the same household sharing materials. Interest persons are asked to pre-register by Friday, April 30, by calling 503-566-2906.

The Southern Willamette Groundwater team is sponsoring the workshops in Albany, to be held at the Linn County office of the OSU Extension Service, 4th and Lyons; and in Eugene, at the Lane County office of the OSU Extension Service, 950 W. 13th Street.

Both the Albany and Eugene workshops are scheduled from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. There is no charge for attendance, but seating priority will be given to residents living within the new Groundwater Management Area (GWMA). Others may attend as space is available.

To find out if you live in the GWMA inquire when you register or visit the GWMA project web site at http://groundwater.oregonstate.edu/willamette.

To register for the Albany workshop call 541-967-3871. To register for the Eugene location call 541-682-4243 or 800-872-8980.

Free screening of well water for nitrate will be offered. Bring about a cup of untreated well water in a clean container and it will be tested while you attend the class.

For more information visit the OSU Well Water web site at http://wellwater.oregonstate.edu.

Source: 

Gail Glick Andrews, 541-737-6294

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