Environmental health report: nitrate testing up, no samples over MCL; radon data compiled

Matt Corry delivered the Environmental Health quarterly report on Aug. 4, telling the board that sampling activity has increased markedly and summarizing nitrate and radon testing data.

Corry said the county recorded a 96% increase in samples between fiscal year 2023 and fiscal year 2026 and that there were 117 nitrate samples in 2026; he added that none of those nitrate results exceeded the maximum contaminant level of 10. He reported 11 well permits (seven for water supply, three geothermal, one dewatering) and that the county used just under $50,000 from the private well grant in FY26. On radon testing, Corry noted the dataset covers Jan. 1–July 16 and is compiled from kit-supplier ZIP-code data: suppliers reported 349 tests in the included ZIP codes while the county distributed 165 kits in those ZIP codes, a caveat Corry flagged because some ZIP codes span counties.

"There's a 96% increase between fiscal year 23 and fiscal year 26," Corry said, describing the uptick in sampling. He also said a subcontractor began water sampling in mid-June, which will bolster sample collection going forward. Board members thanked Corry for the information and had no further questions at the meeting.