Conservation Commission schedules May well-testing event; seeks subsidies to cut homeowner cost

The New Canaan Conservation Commission discussed and provisionally scheduled a state-supported mobile well-testing event for May during its Feb. 12 meeting, and members considered outreach and subsidy options to reduce costs for homeowners.

Organizer (speaker 3) said the state offered two possible Saturday dates in May and recommended May 2 so cancellations for weather could leave May 9 as a backup. "The fee per test sample is $235," the organizer said; a later line in the transcript referenced $225, and the commission did not resolve that discrepancy during the meeting.

Members suggested promoting the testing at Earth Month events and distributing sampling kits at local events so residents can take samples home. They also discussed asking Planet New Canaan or local environmental groups to subsidize some kits to lower the out-of-pocket cost for homeowners.

Why it matters: Private wells are the responsibility of homeowners and testing identifies contaminants that can affect health; subsidized testing or strong outreach can increase participation and public awareness.

Next steps: Organizers will tentatively schedule May 2 as the testing date, confirm payment details and kit distribution logistics with state partners, and approach Planet New Canaan and other local groups about partial subsidies or discounts.