The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) teamed with the geosciences department at Fort Hays State University (FHSU) to determine the distribution and concentrations of uranium and other minerals in private drinking water wells completed in alluvial aquifers along Prairie Dog Creek in Norton and Phillips Counties, Sappa Creek in Decatur County, and Beaver Creek in Rawlins County. Unlike public drinking water wells that are routinely sampled for contaminants that may exceed health standards, private drinking water wells have no testing requirements.
This study offered private well owners the opportunity to have their wells tested for common mineral contaminants and allowed KDHE to understand the extent of the mineral contamination issue in the area and inform the public of the condition of their drinking water. Other minerals in the study include:
- Arsenic
- Selenium
- Nitrate
- Chloride
- Iron
- Manganese
- Sulfate
Results
FHSU sent a letter containing individual sample results to each well owner who participated in the study. If you have received your results and you have questions, please contact KDHE at 785-296-7770.
FHSU has compiled a final report (PDF) for the study.