Well Water Testing

For over ten years Converse County Conservation District holds a well water testing day for drinking water wells during the month of May.  Bottles (for bacteria testing only) may be picked up at Converse County Conservation District, Converse County Clerk’s Office, and Cooperative Extension Office in Douglas or the Town Hall in Glenrock.  If you wish to have your water tested for nitrates, pH or hardness, bring a separate water sample in a clean container.  This program is available only to rural Converse County residents. Water samples taken from city water supplies will not be accepted for testing. We will test ONLY rural water wells used for human consumption.

Water Quantity

Water is the most limiting resource in Converse County.  Landowners manage for maximum beneficial use from all water, whether livestock, domestic, or irrigation.  This requires management diversity for everything from flood events to drought conditions. Within the Northern/Cheyenne River Watershed, surface water sources include Antelope Creek, Dry Creek, and Lightening Creek. These are ephemeral steams in Converse County.  In the Southern Converse/North Platte River Watershed, the North Platte River and its many tributaries are vital sources of water. Since surface water is a limiting factor as well as spacing between streams, groundwater is extremely important to the area.

There are over 6,200 water wells which provide over 95% of the stock and domestic water used. Wells, springs, and other water developments are vital to production agriculture, wildlife, and  domestic needs.Water quantity is the number one natural resource issue facing the district  according to survey results and discussions. The Converse County Conservation District views water developments as a priority in this plan. The county has about 21 bedrock formations consisting of over 16,000 feet of sedimentary rocks. Nearly all of these, although deep, may be limited by water quality or low yields. Natural gas and salts in some aquifers may cause water quality problems. The Converse County Conservation District sees water quality as an issue in Converse County, although the water quality is believed to be very good at present. The district  views water quality as a place to be proactive rather than reactive.

May 2020

Spring Well Water Testing Day is scheduled for May 12, 2020.  Well water testing bottles will be available at the CCCD office, Converse County Clerks Office and the County Extension office on May 5, 2019.

October 2020

Fall Well Water Testing Day is not scheduled yet. Keep watch for more details.