Home water test kits available July 20-24, 2026
The Van Wert Soil & Water Conservation District has partnered with Heidelberg University’s National Center for Water Quality Research to offer residents the opportunity to have their well water tested.
If your drinking water comes from a private well, you are responsible for your water’s safety. If you have never had your water supply tested, it is always a good idea to educate yourself on what is present in your drinking water and provide yourself with some baseline information in the event there are changes in the future that may impact the quality of your water supply.
Should you test your well water?
Your well has an increased likelihood of contamination if:
• Your well is more than 20 years old
• Your well was dug or driven rather than drilled
• Your well is shallow
• Your soil is sandy
• A chemical spill is known to have happened nearby
• Your well is near possible sources of contamination, such as: cropland, feedlots, landfills, industrial sites (active or abandoned).
Even if your well fits none of these categories, you cannot know the quality of your water without testing. Contaminants may have entered the ground without your knowledge or before you lived at the site.
Due to supply and testing equipment issues, the only test kit Heidelberg is offering at this time is the basic nitrate test, which includes testing for nitrates, nitrites, ammonia, chloride, sulfates, fluoride, soluble phosphorus, silica, and conductivity.
The cost of the kit is $30.00 (which includes shipping), made payable to Van Wert SWCD.
The test kits will be for sale Monday, July 20 through Friday, July 24, 2026. The samples must be returned to the Van Wert SWCD on Monday, July 27, 2026 between 7:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. Please take the sample right before dropping the kit back off to us so that it is as fresh as possible. Participants can expect their confidential results back in two to four weeks from Heidelberg University.
Tire Recycling Registration Form
Tire Recycling Registration Form 2026 (pdf)
DownloadElection Notice
The Ohio Soil and Water Conservation Commission will cause an election of Supervisors of the Van WertSoil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) to be held in accordance with Chapter 940 of the Ohio Revised Code. Individuals who own or occupy land within the Van Wert Soil and Water Conservation District and are 18 years of age or older may vote for Supervisor.
There are 3 ways an eligible voter can cast a ballot:
1.) At the SWCD office, 1185 Professional Drive, from 7/6/2026 until 8/4/2026 during normal business hours; or
2.) At the SWCD Annual Meeting, which will take place at Life House Church on 8/4/2026 from 5:00 pm-6:00 pm ; or
3.) Voting absentee from 7/6/2026 until 8/4/2026, by requesting the ballot application and election ballot from the SWCD office at the following address 1185 Professional Drive, by calling 419-238-9591, or email becky@vanwertswcd.com. Absentee ballots must be received by the SWCD office by 8/4/2026 at 4:00 pm.
1 Supervisor will be elected to a three‐year term commencing January 1, 2027and ending December 31, 2029.
Nominees are:
1. Dave Kemler
2. Tristin Miller
Van Wert SWCD and Farm Bureau co-host Ag Banquet
The Van Wert SWCD held their 76th Annual Meeting by co-hosting with the Van Wert Farm Bureau at the Ag Banquet on Tuesday, August 5 at Life House Church, Van Wert, OH. A SWCD election was held for two supervisor positions on the SWCD Board of Supervisors five member Board. Dustin Schaadt and Phil Young were elected to serve a three year term commencing January 1, 2026.
Dinner was provided by Lock 16 Catering. The speaker was Jolene Brown who delivered a powerful presentation on succession planning.
Claire Keysor, Emma Wells and Luke Heffelfinger were the SWCD Scholarship recipients. Tom and Doug Jones were recognized by the SWCD and received the Conservation Farmer Award. This award is given to honor individuals for their conservation achievements. Farm Bureau honored their scholarship recipients, Luke Heffelfinger and Emma Wells.
The Van Wert Ag Hall of Fame Award was presented to Fred Pond for his many agricultural accomplishments.
Sponsors for the evening were: Farm Bureau and the Van Wert Soil and Water Conservation District.
Pictures from the Annual Meeting 2025
Scholarship recipients Luke Heffelfinger, Claire Keysor, and Emma Wells (not pictured). Board members Craig Pohlman, Brett Schumm, Dave Kemler, and Elliot Callow.
Ag Hall of Fame Recipients- Fred Pond
Pictured with SWCD board members Craig Pohlman, Brett Schumm, Dave Kemler, and Elliot Callow
Conservation Farmer of the Year- Tom and Doug Jones pictured with SWCD supervisor Dave Kemler
Contact Us
Van Wert Soil & Water Conservation District
1185 Professional Drive, Van Wert, OH 45891US
(419) 238-9591 or (567) 259-4253 email: becky@vanwertswcd.com
Hours
Open today | 07:30 am – 04:00 pm |