HOUSTON — Is your home’s well more than 40 years old? Is it less than 50 feet deep? Has it been more than a year since the water was tested? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions you may want to stop by Hardin-Houston Local School on Tuesday, Oct. 13, between 4 and 6 p.m. to have your well water tested by Houston FFA members.

The event will be located in the agricultural education classroom and shop on the south side of the school.

In less than 30 minutes the students will be able to tell if there might be a hazardous level of nitrate in the drinking water. This is a free, confidential nitrate screening of all self-contained wells for residents of Shelby and surrounding counties. While you wait you can learn about well maintenance, nitrate prevention and well education from several area professionals.

To properly collect your well water sample:

1. Select any clean jar that seals tightly, such as a glass mason jar or Tupperware container.

2. Remove any screen or filter from your faucet.

3. Run water for five minutes to clear the lines and bring in fresh water.

4. Do not touch the lip of the jar, inside the jar, or inside the cap.

5. Keep the sample refrigerated until the Test Your Well Event. A fresh sample drawn the day of the event is best.

For more information about the Test Your Well Event on Oct. 13th, from 4 to 6 p.m., contact Derek McCracken, Houston FFA Advisor by calling (937) 295-3010, ext. 2026.