The workshop will focus on treating such common problems as bacteria, sulfur, iron and manganese, which can cause health risks or make water unpalatable to drink.

More serious water problems will also be discussed, such as arsenic, uranium and radon. The workshop is sponsored by the Dresden Conservation Commission and the Northeast Rural Community Assistance Program.

Speakers will show how to take a water sample and understand what the results indicate, and talk about when - and how - a homeowner should take action to solve particular problems. Water treatment systems will be described, along with their costs. The workshop is free and open to the public.

The Conservation Commission has conducted drinking water tests throughout Dresden for the past decade and found that quite a few homeowners experience water quality problems despite the overall healthfulness of Dresden's groundwater.

Most homes in Dresden have private wells that tap into groundwater deriving from different sources, so water quality can vary from house to house. Problems identified are not unique to Dresden, but are shared across New England. Nevertheless, if a problem is serious enough, it should be treated by the homeowner to protect health.

Dresden Elementary School is located at 86 Cedar Grove Road (Route 128) one mile south of the junction of Route 128 and Route 27 in Dresden. The workshop will take place in the multi-purpose room.

For more information, contact the Commission at 737-8278 or write the chair at timnason@gwi.net. The Northeast Rural Community Assistance Program can be reached at 207-766-3065.