Recognizing the potential for transmission of waterborne diseases from private water wells and the importance of periodic analysis of drinking water from these sources, the Ogle County Health Department will accept water samples collected by the general public. These samples will be transported to the Dixon Water Microbiology Laboratory for Bacterial and Nitrate Analysis. Lab fees must be paid at the time for sample is received at the Health Department.

Approved water sampling bottles are available at the Ogle County Health Department. Water samples must be collected no earlier than 8:00 AM, Monday (excluding Holidays) when requesting testing and returned to the Health Department by 11:AM each Tuesday. The Dixon Water Microbiology Laboratory's form provided must be completed in the upper left corner.

Testing performed by the Dixon Water Microbiology Lab and costs are as follows:

• Bacteria (including Coli) - $17.00
• Nitrates - $10.00
• Iron - $10.00
• Hardness - $10.00
• Bacteria and Nitrates are usually tested at a combined cost of - $27.00.

In addition to this service, The Ogle County Health Department will continue to provide water sample collection and analysis for real estate transactions at the standard fee of $127.00 including laboratory charges. This service requires on site inspection and certification of water well construction by Health Department staff.

Anyone having questions regarding these services can call the Ogle County Health Department at:
815-732-7330 ext. 363 or 347

Collecting a Water Sample
To perform the water sampling yourself, please read all of these instructions first.

Only State approved laboratory-prepared bottles are to be used for samples. All water sample bottles are sterilized before distribution, and must be handled carefully to avoid contamination during the sampling process.

Sampling Point:
Select a sampling point as close as possible to the water supply source. If possible select a faucet or pump-spout without a threaded outlet. Do not collect from garden hoses, dirty faucets or swing-type faucets where foreign material may contaminate the sample. Remove faucet screens or aerators before sampling. Do not collect softened water.

Proceed as Follows:
Cleanse hands. They should be free of soil or dirt. Cleanse surface of spout. It should be free of soil or dirt also. Do not touch the spout at the sampling point.

Before collecting sample open the tap and allow water to run at full flow until the pump starts, and then run water for several minutes. This allows water to be collected from the ground water supply, rather than water that has been in storage for a period of time. Slow the water flow down to the stream size of a pencil during actual collection to avoid contamination from splashing.

Carefully unscrew cap of bottle. Hold cap without touching inside edges of cap or neck of bottle. Do not attempt to clean or rinse bottle. Next fill bottle to the marked fill line or to the bottom of the neck threads. Do not fill to rim, as you must leave air space in bottle. Immediately and carefully replace cap. The lab will be able to do two lab tests if filled to fill line. They may be able to perform three lab tests if filled to bottom of neck threads. You may be asked to provide more sample bottles if more than two tests are requested.

Complete the report form that was with the bottle. Be sure to write date of collection, sampling point, name and address.

top