VALDOSTA – Following the 7.5-million-gallon sewage spill next to Sugar Creek earlier this month, the Georgia Department of Public Health’s South Health District will be providing free private well testing to residents along the Withlacoochee River in Lowndes and Brooks County.

The testing performed by the health department checks for E. coli and coliform bacteria.

Residents living along the Withlacoochee River in Brooks County will need to go to the Brooks County Health Department to fill out a “Water Sample Request Form” and residents in Lowndes County will need to go to the Lowndes County Health Department.

After filling out the request forms, an Environmental Health Specialist will come to your home to collect the water sample. Please do not bring water collection samples to the health department.

The fee for water testing will be waived in both counties.  

For Lowndes County Residents:

The Lowndes County Health Department is located at 206 South Patterson Street in Valdosta. If you have further questions, please contact the health department at (229)245-2314.

For Brooks County Residents:

The Brooks County Health Department is located at 500 East Courtland in Quitman. If you have further questions, please contact the health department at (229)263-7585.