Extension staff briefed the Conservation Commission on private well risks, testing recommendations and options for town-supported testing on Dec. 11.

Alec Janis, presenting for the Yukon Department of Extension, told the commission that well owners often misunderstand groundwater: "All the water beneath our feet... you own that water, and that is simply untrue," he said, explaining precipitation, aquifer types and how surface activities can affect shallow dug wells. Janis described two common well types—dug wells (shallow, surface-influenced) and drilled wells (deeper, into fractured bedrock)—and listed typical contaminants in Connecticut: iron and manganese, and occasional detections of arsenic, uranium, lead, nitrates and PFAS in some areas.

Janis outlined testing recommendations: the extension advises testing basic indicators every one to two years and testing for arsenic and uranium every three to five years. He said wells are required to be tested at installation but that subsequent testing is voluntary for well owners. "The only time a well is required to be tested is when it is installed," Janis said, adding that the extension uses EPA maximum contaminant levels and related guidance to interpret results.

On treatment, Janis outlined point-of-use (under-sink) and point-of-entry options and recommended reverse osmosis for broad contaminant removal in drinking water. He cautioned that some contaminants have no taste or color (arsenic, uranium) and that children, infants and pregnant people can be particularly vulnerable to certain exposures.

The presenters described past outreach: a USDA-funded program subsidized well testing for about 960 well owners at a $50 test rate; more recent reduced-price tests were discussed in the meeting (figures cited during Q&A ranged from about $225 to $325 depending on the service and logistics). Janis and Michael Dietz said the extension can run a mobile-lab testing event for New Canaan (possible timeframe January–March), supply sample kits and manage refrigerated drop-off logistics. "We can provide maybe the same level of... the educational workshop," Janis said, and offered to email slides and fact sheets.

Commissioners asked whether the town should pursue a baseline sampling program (e.g., 100 samples). Janis said that while a baseline can provide a snapshot, variability by well depth and local geology limits how representative townwide sampling would be; nevertheless, he said a coordinated community testing event could be valuable and feasible. The extension maintains a list of certified labs on its website but, as a state agency, does not endorse specific commercial treatment companies.

Next steps: the commission agreed to solicit ideas by email and follow up on whether to host a mobile-lab testing day and to request the extension’s presentation materials and fact sheets for public distribution.