Rural residents in the Powell and Cody areas wondering about the quality of their well water have a golden opportunity to get some answers.

As part of a Rural Well Test Day on Tuesday, Sept. 9, the Powell Clarks Fork and Cody conservation districts are offering to cover up to half the cost of residents’ water tests.

“We wanted to make it accessible for well owners to be able to test their well,” said Powell Clarks Fork Conservation District Manager Shannon Darrough. “It’s important to test your well so that you know your well!”

The standard home loan analysis checks levels of nitrate, nitrite plus nitrate, lead, total coliform bacteria, and E. coli coliform bacteria. Residents across northern Park County on private, noncommercial wells are welcome to participate.

Those interested in participating in Rural Well Test Day must sign an agreement and pick up a well testing kit at their local conservation district office sometime before 5 p.m. on Sept. 8. Then they need to drop off a sample of their well water between 8 a.m. and noon on Sept. 9.

Conservation district staff will then shuttle all of the samples to Energy Laboratories in Billings for testing. Residents will receive their results within 10 days. The districts will also receive results from the testing, but will keep all personal information confidential, Darrough said.

The two districts received a $4,125 water quality grant from the Wyoming Department of Agriculture that will allow them to cover up to $69 per test; the landowner is responsible for paying the other $69.

If someone wants to participate in the cost share program but is unavailable on Rural Well Test Day, that’s OK, as the districts have until the spring of 2027 to fully spend the grant.

“Anyone can take advantage of the program throughout the year, but they would be responsible for getting their test to Billings,” Darrough said.

She added that, if there’s enough interest, the district may seek funding to continue the program after this grant wraps up.

For more information, those in the Powell, Clark, Garland and Ralston areas can visit the Powell Clarks Fork Conservation District website at pcfcd.org or call 307-271-3125. Those in the Cody and North and South fork areas can visit codyconservationdistrict.com or call the Cody district at 307-578-8335.