Well water testing through the public service lab at the Illinois State Water Survey is still free to Illinois residents, but not for long.

Because of the state's tight budget, the water survey plans to start charging for the service soon to cover its supply costs, says Kent Smothers, head of the state water survey's Center for Chemistry & Technology.

Test kits are mailed upon request. The fee will range for $35 to $50, depending on how many samples, he said.

The water survey provides an analysis of iron, manganese, calcium, magnesium, hardness, sodium, fluoride, chloride, nitrate, sulfate, alkalinity, total dissolved solids, turbidity, pH, color, odor, arsenic, barium, boron, chromium, copper, nickel and zinc.

This isn't a safe-to-drink test, however. Further testing must be done for bacteria and nitrates that may make well water unsafe to drink.

The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District provides test kits for bacteria and nitrates testing for $20 to well owners within Champaign-Urbana city limits or $49 to well owners elsewhere in Champaign County.

Test kits must be picked up at the public health building at 201 W. Kenyon Road, C.

The water samples are sent to a state public health lab in Springfield, said Jim Roberts, the district's environmental health director. There are also accredited private labs people can use to analyze their water samples.