Meeting of landowners in Waterloo Creek Watershed scheduled for March 14

The Bee/Duck Creek Watershed Committee, Allamakee County and Root River (Houston County) Soil and Water Conservation Districts, and Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) are holding a watershed-wide landowner meeting in Spring Grove, MN Thursday, March 14. The meeting will be held at the Fest Building in Spring Grove, MN from 9:30 a.m. until noon. Refreshments will be provided.
Anyone who owns and/or operates land within the watershed is encouraged to attend. The meeting will provide landowners with an opportunity to discuss conservation practices for cropland, timber and pasture. Agenda topics include water quality, soil health, cost-share incentives, conservation practices and flood control.
Attendees are invited to have their well water tested for nitrates at no charge. Those interested in having their water tested should bring at least a 1/2 cup of water in a plastic bag or glass container. For effective sample collection and test results, wash hands before sampling and collect the sample as close to the well as possible and before water reaches devices such as water softeners, filters and pressure tanks.
When gathering the sample, turn on the hydrant or spigot fully and let water run for 10 minutes or until a constant temperature is reached. Samples should be fresh, preferably taken the same day of the test. According to the EPA, major sources of nitrates in drinking water are run-off from fertilizer use, leaking septic tanks, sewage and erosion of natural deposits. High nitrate levels in drinking water can be particularly dangerous for very young children.