Gail Andrews isn't about to trample anyone's personal freedom.

But Andrews, a water quality educator with the Oregon State University Extension Service, does figure the rural residents she deals with ought to have enough information to correctly calculate their drinking water's potential health risks.

"If you want to get your water from a hand-dug open well, that's your business," she said. "If you want to drink surface water piped in from a spring that rats or other animals could be dying in, OK. But you should know what the dangers are.

"It may come as a surprise to some rural residents that they are responsible for the quality of their drinking water. No one will come to their door and tell them that their water is not safe to drink or inspect their well and make necessary repairs."

In Linn and Benton counties combined, more than 25 percent of the population gets its drinking water from a private well. Approximately one in three Linn County residents uses a private well, and statewide, the percentage is about one in four, though the exact number of private wells in Oregon is not known. There are 200,000 "registered wells" in the state, meaning that's the number for which the Water Resources Department has statistics on file.

To help mid-valley well-users ensure that their water is safe, Andrews will instruct a free class called "Rural Living Basics" from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday in the Evelyn Downing Room at the Old Armory Building, Fourth and Lyon in Albany. In addition to talking about well-water quality and protecting wells from contamination, Andrews plans to cover such topics as septic tank and drainfield care, and advice will be provided about where to get help for specific problems.

Also, anyone attending the class can bring a water sample to be tested for nitrate, a form of nitrogen that's found in fertilizers and animal wastes and used by plants (other forms of nitrogen in the soil also are converted to nitrate). If there is more nitrate in the soil than plants can use, the extra is washed downward, eventually reaching the water table since nitrate is carried easily through the ground by water.

The federal Environmental Protection Agency has set a maximum level of 10 milligrams per liter (or 10 parts per million) of nitrate for public drinking water supplies because higher amounts of nitrate have been linked to a type of illness in babies called "blue baby syndrome." Water containing less than that percentage of nitrate is considered safe for people of all ages, but if the nitrate level is approaching or above 10 ppm, infants and nursing and pregnant women should not drink the water.

"Taste is not a good indicator of safe water," Andrews said. "Wonderful-tasting, sparkling-clear water can carry disease organisms or toxic chemicals, and some foul-tasting water may be safe to drink."

In addition to its link to blue baby syndrome, nitrate is a cause for concern because it's a barometer of the potential for other chemical contaminants to reach the water along with the nitrate.

"Nitrate is a really good indicator of the overall condition of the groundwater," Andrews said. "If we find nitrate, it means contaminants can percolate through the soil into the groundwater, that there are no geological barriers.

"If nitrate is found in your well water, it means that there is a source of extra nitrogen in the vicinity, such as agriculture, fertilized lawns, septic systems on small parcels, or animals. Your water is coming from the water table aquifer and therefore may be affected easily by other contaminants leaching through the soil. We test for nitrate at the class because it's easy, it's cheap and it's a good indicator of water quality."

Andrews stresses that the testing done at the class is completely anonymous; names are not even matched with the water samples, which Andrews only asks be brought in a clean container that holds at least 1 cup of water.

"I see the weirdest assortment of jars, Ziploc bags, Tupperware," she said.

Cadmium is added to the samples brought in, and a darkened co

lor indicates the presence of nitrate. A hand-held color meter gives an approximate measure of how much nitrate is present.

If your well water tests positive for nitrate, Andrews recommends identifying the potential sources and finding ways to manage them, such as by checking with your county Extension office or your soil and water conservation district office.

You should also, Andrews said, examine your property and the surrounding area for sources of other contaminants, such as coliform bacteria, E. coli or arsenic, and test for those substances if you think your water may be at risk.

If you want to treat your water to remove the nitrate itself, you need to use reverse osmosis or ion exchange. Boiling does not remove nitrate; instead it will increase the concentration.

While there is no charge for Wednesday's class or the test, those wanting to attend are asked to preregister by calling 967-3871. Additional information about OSU Extenstion's well-water-quality work is available online at http://wellwater.orst.edu.

-- By Steve Lundeberg. The People page editor, Lundeberg can be reached at 812-6110 or steve.lundeberg@lee.net.