Hamilton County offers free water, radon tests

Workshop in Jewell Oct. 20 for more information

As the political climate and news seems to keep pointing at high cancer rates in Iowa, it seems there is little we can do. But in reality there is help.

When we look at environmental issues, there are risks from a number of areas. From the food we eat to excess sun, to the water we drink, it feels like there isn't a way to avoid some type of cancer in our lifetime.

But with the concerns, there is also good news. Pam Harklau, Administrator of the Hamilton County Health Department, encourages every residential home owner to take advantage of the free radon gas tests and free water testing services for private wells, which are available through the Hamilton County Health department.

One of the biggest areas of concern is the water. There are a number of studies who are trying to identify what exactly is in the water that seems to be contributing to the cancer risks. According to a study by the National Institute of Environmental Health Science, in March of 2025, there is a focus on a grouping of synthetic chemicals (PFA's) that have been used widely in consumer products and have accumulated in the environment since the 1940's.

Identifying problems with a private well is something that the Health Department can help with, as the department hires Brad Berg, the Hamilton County Health sanitarian to go to individual properties to test their water.

"Most of the private wells are in the rural areas, but not all", said Harklau. "There are a few places within the city where residents own a private well."

The testing is available to anyone who owns their property and has a well within the county. Those who are on city water or Xenia water are not eligible.

"Every property owner who has a private well can have an annual test," she said.

Berg will sanitize the spigots and run the water to get a clean sampling, then fill three containers with well water. These will be sent off to a lab to test for coliform, e.coli/fecal coliform, nitrates, hydrogen sulfide, arsenic and manganese.

When the results come back, if there are concerns, there are also solutions. The Health Department not only has the free testing program, but if a home owner qualifies, they can assist with grants that will help pay for a number of solutions, including plugging wells, cisterns, shocking a well, well renovation or well reconstruction.

For residents in any of the cities in Hamilton County, homeowners who are on city water but are concerned about the taste or smell of their water should contact their city, whether their address is Blairsburg, Williams, Webster City, Ellsworth, Randall, Stanhope or Stratford.

Testing for radon is just as important as the water testing. According to the EPA, the entire state of Iowa is considered at high risk for radon gas in homes. High levels of radon can be found in any type of home. It is important that everyone test their home. This means new and old homes, well-sealed homes and drafty homes and homes with or without basements. This type of lung cancer is preventable, but the only way to know if a home has elevated levels of radon is to conduct a test.

Radon tests must be done by the homeowner themselves, and a free test can be picked up at the Hamilton County Health Department in Webster City. These tests do not have to be done by the sanitarian, residents can do the test themselves. The free tests are available for anyone who lives in town or in the rural areas, as long as they are the property owner. Free tests are not available for apartments or for rental properties.

So if the radon test comes back abnormal, a rating above 7, it does require two tests that shows the elevated readings. The county will then conduct a repeat test. If then the recommendation is for radon mitigation, they have a list of radon mitigation specialists, they can recommend.

For those worried about the cost of the mitigation, there is financial assistance for mitigations in the state of Iowa, through the health department.

"It is income based and estimated on the value of the home," said Harklau. "If they qualify, there is up to $2,000 financial assistance."

The price plans vary, said Harklau. "There are property owners who might be able to install their own, which would be at a much lower cost," she said, "If you have a certified installer, you are paying for that system."

It won't cover all the cost, but Harklau says it will help.

"There would be some costs, the home owner would still have some expense, but there would be a lot of help," she said.

"We are open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and if you want to come in, and fill out a form., you can take it home that day," said Harklau. "If you take one of the radon kits, make sure you fill it out completely, the start and end time of the test."

"It's imperative to put it in the mail immediately," she urged. "Everything is on a time frame to get those results."

For those wanting more information on Radon, there is also a workshop that will be held at the Montgomery Memorial Public Library in Jewel on October 20.

For those who are unable to get to Webster City, or would like to learn more, the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach program is offering a Radon Gas awareness presentation later in October. Scheduled for the training at the Montgomery Memorial Public Library in Jewell on October 20, Kapil Arora, extension agricultural engineering specialist, will talk about radon testing, the results and different mitigation strategies.

Radon is a radioactive, colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas that comes from the ground. It accumulates in homes and can cause lung cancer. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that radon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer and is a serious public health problem.

Each pre-registered household in attendance will receive a free radon test kit, and the informational meeting is also free to attend. Participants will learn about the potential negative health effects of radon exposure and how to properly place a radon test kit in the home for the safest and most accurate results. Information will also be provided on how to read test results and what options are available for addressing radon gas if elevated levels are detected.

To learn more about radon and the steps you can take to protect your household, register by calling the Hamilton County Extension office at 515-832-9597 or register online at: https://form.jotform.com/261613904952156

For those not attending the workshop test kits are always available at the Health department, which is located at 1610 Collins St., Suite 1 in Webster City. Free Radon kits can be obtained for each household. Water tests, which are done by Berg, will need to be scheduled.