Reporter for The Canyon Weekly
By James Day
The Oregon Health Authority is offering free well testing vouchers for Santiam Canyon property owners and others whose wells were affected by the 2020 wildfires.
Applications are available now at https://go.usa.gov/xAycC/ and the program is scheduled to run through May of 2023 if supplies last.
Here is a look at the key criteria:
The well must be on property impacted by the 2020 wildfires and only one voucher is available per well..
The well water must be used for things such as drinking, bathing, cooking and washing dishes.
The well must not be part of a regulated water system.
Vouchers will cover testing for arsenic, nitrate, bacteria, lLead and, depending on damage assessment results, benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes (BTEX).
Even if the fire did not directly damage your well, or if you have repaired damage to your well, testing is an important step in recovering your property, the OHA advises.
If demand for well testing vouchers exceeds supply, the OHA will prioritize vouchers by noting households that meet certain income thresholds; communities that have been historically underserved, including people of color; properties that suffered the greatest amount of damage; and second homes and vacation rental homes will not be prioritized.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
For an application or to receive more information about the well-testing program go to https://go.usa.gov/xAycC/
call 971-673-0440 or email [email protected].
