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CORVALLIS, Ore. - The Oregon State University Extension Service's Well Water Program is offering a series of free clinics this spring that will include nitrate screening of well water, as well as information about well and septic maintenance.

The clinics will be offered in Benton, Columbia, Lane, Linn and Washington counties.

"It is important for households with pregnant women or newborns to test nitrate levels because of a rare type of blue-baby syndrome," said Gail Andrews, who directs the Well Water Program. "But it is also something that all residents who have private wells should be doing."

For the free screening, bring a half-cup of untreated well water to the clinic in a clean, water-tight container. Participants may either wait for the results, which take about 10 minutes, depending on crowds, or leave a self-addressed stamped envelope. The results will be mailed and your container recycled.

Additional information on the program is available by calling 541-737-6295, or visiting the Well Water Program website at: http://wellwater.oregonstate.edu The list of clinic locations follows:

Benton County: Wednesday, April 26, and Wednesday, June 21, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Monroe High School commons, Monroe.

Columbia County: Wednesday, March 22, and Wednesday, April 5, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 505 N. Columbia River Hwy., St. Helens; Saturday, April 22, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., during the Master Gardeners Spring Garden Fair at St. Helens High School, St. Helens.

Lane County: Thursday, April 13, Thursday, May 25, and Thursday, Sept. 7, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Lane County Extension Office, 950 W. 13th Ave., Eugene.

Linn County: Wednesday, March 15, and Wednesday, April 12, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Linn County Extension Office, 4th and Lyons, Albany.

Washington County: Every Monday through April 25, plus Wednesday, March 1, and Wednesday, April 5, from noon to 3:30 p.m. at 18640 N.W. Walker Rd. No. 1400, Beaverton.