LV PRESS

The Times News, Lehigh Valley Press and Vigilant Fire Company of Slatington are hosting a used book sale to benefit the Newspapers In Education program that supplies newspapers to classrooms throughout the region April 30 through May 3.

We are accepting books, paperbacks, books on tape, CDs, Blue-Ray and DVDs in good condition at our offices through April 9.

Please, no dictionaries, encyclopedias or magazines.

Drop books at the following locations: Lehigh Valley Press, 1633 N. 26th St., Allentown, Times News, 594 Blakeslee Blvd. Drive West, Lehighton and Times News, 200 E. Broad St., Tamaqua.

For questions or more information, call 610-377-2051, ext. 3108.

PENN STATE EXTENSION

Have you ever had the drinking water from your well, spring or cistern tested for lead and other health-related pollutants?

If not, here is your chance.

Penn State Extension has received funding from the Rural Community Assistance Partnership and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to provide no-cost drinking water testing to a limited number of homeowners in Lehigh County using private water wells, springs or cisterns.

The testing is for private water supplies that are actively being used for drinking water in the household or rental unit. Camps or seasonal households that are not continuously used are not eligible for this program.

This testing is limited to the first 42 households using a private well, spring or cistern registering at https://extension.psu.edu/drinking-water-test-for-lead-and-other-pollutants or by calling 1-877-345-0691.

Once registered, you can pick up your drinking water test kit at the Penn State Extension office at the Lehigh County Agricultural Center, 4184 Dorney Park Road, Room 104, Allentown.

Instructions on how to collect the water sample are included in the kit.

The kits must be dropped off at the extension office between 8 a.m. and noon either Feb. 11 or 25 (the exact drop-off date will be provided in your test kit).

Individual water samples will be analyzed for numerous drinking water parameters including total coliform bacteria, E. coli bacteria, pH, total dissolved solids, hardness, alkalinity, corrosivity, nitrate, arsenic, copper and lead. Results of your testing will be available during two separate one-hour workshops to be held 3 p.m. or 6 p.m. March 26 at Lehigh County Agricultural Center, 4184 Dorney Park Road, Room 104, Allentown.

You will be asked to attend one of these workshops to get your water test results. A brief 30-minute presentation will also be given including professional interpretation of your results and information on how to solve drinking water problems.

If you have any questions about this no-cost testing program contact Penn State Extension, Lehigh County at 610-391-9840.

Penn State encourages people with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions about the physical access provided, call Brad Kunsman at 610-813-6613.