Are your tile drains flowing? Want to know what nutrients you’re losing? The Illinois Council on Best Management Practices is offering free and confidential water testing throughout the state. “This is a management tool for farmers,” says district conservationist Aaron Engstrom. “It’s for their own purpose, to know what’s leaving their fields.”

As farmers look for ways to incorporate nutrient loss reduction strategies on their farms, understanding what you’re really losing is a good place to start.

Here are best practices for an accurate water sample:

• Sample containers should be clean and free of any chemicals or detergents

• Samples should be at least 8 ounces

KNOW WHAT’S IN YOUR FLOW. Grab a sample and get a free water test from the C-BMP.

• Take samples as close to testing time as possible, within 48 hours is best

• Refrigerate the sample if it won’t be tested immediately.

To calculate daily nutrient loss, farmers should also determine an estimate of flow. For example, count how many seconds it takes to fill a five gallon bucket with water flowing from the tile drain. This estimate of flow will be used to calculate nutrient load in pounds per day.

Engstrom says the testing is completely confidential and the results will not be recorded. Farmers will walk away with their test results and information on how to interpret the results. Engstrom points out the results provide a snapshot in time and encourages farmers to keep their own record of test results.

For farmers without tiled fields, Engstrom says surface runoff can also be tested if there is a way to collect the water.

For information on water testing in your county, visit illinoiscbmp.org/Water-Testing.