WINTON – The Hertford County Public Health Authority will be offering free well water testing (bacteriological sampling kits) due to the massive flooding caused by Hurricane Matthew.

This is a collaborative effort between the Hertford County Public Health Authority, Hertford County Emergency Management and the North Carolina State Laboratory of Public Health. The test kit will solely be used to determining the presence of coliforms and E. coli contamination in private wells.

“This test will only be given to Hertford County residents with private wells that have experienced flooding due to Hurricane Matthew,” explains Ramona Bowser, HCPHA Health Director.

Bowser added that there is an application process for the testing and that HCPHA has a limited supply of the kits.

“Priority will be given to those residents who experienced flooding to their private wells,” she stressed.

Testing kits are now available.  If you are interested in getting your private well tested and meet the criteria, stop by the Public Health Authority’s Administrative building in Winton for an application.  Applications are also available on the HCPHA website at www.hertfordpublichealth.com.

For additional information, call 252-358-7833.