Many people ask what they can do to protect their property from potential oil drilling in the area.

My response is always to do everything they can to make sure their water is protected. The single most important way to do that is to get baseline testing on your well so that you can document the chemical composition of your water. Unless you do that, there is no way for you to prove the source of any contamination that occurs after drilling starts.

Water testing is not something you should try to do yourself. It’s complicated business. You need to know what to test for, how to document, how often to test and much more.

Water testing seminar.
Click to enlarge

Next Thursday, June 5, the Carbon County Resource Council will sponsor a water testing seminar in Red Lodge at the Carbon County Fairgrounds at 7:00 pm.

Sharp-eyed readers will recognize that the seminar will be offered by Montana State University Extension, and delivered by the same people who gave a similar event in Lewistown in January. You can read a reader’s report of that session here.

There will also be information about programs that might help with the cost, and which vendors are qualified to work with local residents.

I strongly recommend you attend this. Your water and property rights are crucial. Do your friends and neighbors a favor and pass this along to them as well.

RSVP by Tuesday, June 3 at 406-962-3522 to guarantee yourself a spot.