A clean, safe water supply is important for everyone.

In Butler County and other rural areas of Pennsylvania, many homeowners depend on private water supplies for their daily needs. Water testing is a valuable tool for making sure that wells and other water sources are safe.

As a homeowner, you’ve submitted a water sample for testing or a test has been done before gas well drilling and you have received a written report. What does it mean?

To help you interpret those results, Penn State Extension is sponsoring a workshop on May 30 at the Butler County Community College. The Water Test Result Interpretation Workshop will be held in the Public Safety Training Facility, Classroom 202. Two sessions will be offered, the first from 1 to 3 p.m. and the second from 6 to 8 p.m.

The workshop will help participants to interpret and understand the results of water testing done by a lab for pre-gas well drilling or from routine testing of private water supplies. Participants are encouraged to bring any test results that they have.

In addition, information about water testing as it relates to Marcellus drilling will be discussed along with water treatment options. Penn State water test kits will be available to participants.

There is no fee for the workshop but registration is required by May 28. Space is limited to the first 45 registrants per session.

Register online at agsci.psu.edu/water-test-results. If you do not have access to the Internet, you may register by calling Penn State Extension in Beaver County at 724-774-3003.

This material is submitted by Donna Zang, extension director, and the staff of the Penn State Extension office at the Sunnyview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center complex.