There’s no underestimating the importance of water in our community. However, because we are a rural region, many residents have their own private wells, springs or cisterns.

How safe is the water they are receiving?

That’s something Penn State Extension can answer though its Safe Drinking Water Clinic and free water testing clinic at 3 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 1, at the Youngsville Borough Building on Railroad Street.

“In Pennsylvania, over one million homes and farms get their drinking water from a private source,” according to a release from Ruth Valone at the Warren County Extension Office. “These homeowners are voluntarily responsible for testing and treating their own water. About half of the private water systems fail at least one drinking water standard, but many pollutants have no obvious indicators. The only way to be certain that water is safe to drink is to have it tested routinely by an accredited laboratory.”

The clinic is being held in partnership with the Conewango Creek Watershed Association and Warren County Conservation District.

Those who wish to take part in this testing need to preregister by Oct. 31, by visiting https://extension.psu.edu/safe-drinking-water-clinic or calling (877) 345-0691.