Free drinking water testing available at Amish Health & Safety Fair

Free, simple water quality testing will be available to participants in the Amish Health and Safety Fair courtesy of Ashland Soil & Water Conservation District on August 20 from 5-8:30 p.m.

The testing will be offered as part of the Ashland County Health and Safety Committee’s annual Amish Health and Safety Fay event. This year’s event will take place at Hochstetler Milling on State Route 95 in Loudonville.

“We’re excited to be able to provide a simple water quality screening to participants at this year’s Amish Health and Safety Fair,” said Jane Houin, Ashland SWCD director. “In partnership with Ohio EPA, we’re able to provide information on drinking water safety and septic maintenance along with nitrate and nitrite screening at this year’s event. Just bring a bottle or jar of your water from home, and our volunteers will provide a rapid screening on site.”

In addition to the water screening, many activities and displays will be available for both parents and children on improving the safety of of homes, shops, schools, farms and roads, including health screenings, pressure canning checks, school supplies, health talks, bicycle safety, first safety, CPR and choking, and big safety and lighting.

Ashland SWCD will also have a drawing for participants to receive a free soil test for their farm fields or garden.

The event is limited to Amish and horse and buggy Mennonites only; no news media are permitted. No for-sale gimmicks are allowed, but free ice cream, chips and hot dogs will be provides.

For questions on the free water quality testing, contact Ashland SWCD Water Quality Specialist Cora Crilow at 419-281-7645.