Summer cyber camps

UTICA, N.Y. » Mohawk Valley Community College once again will host free GenCyber Summer Camps for high school students in the Mohawk Valley, funded by the National Security Agency. These award-winning summer camps are designed to introduce local high school students to the rapidly growing field of cybersecurity.

The beginner camp will run from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, July 15-19, and provide hands-on activities and laboratory exercises to introduce students to the cybersecurity field. This camp is designed for students entering ninth grade through 12th grade who are interested in exploring the field of cybersecurity.

The Advanced Camp, which will run from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, July 22-26, is designed for students in grades nine through 12 who attended last year’s GenCyber Summer Camp and those who are already familiar with cybersecurity.

Seats for both camps are very limited and applicants apply at www.mvcc.edu/ gencyber. WAMPSVILLE, N.Y. » Madison County residents with a well or individual onsite water system can take advantage of free private water testing through Madison County to know if it’s safe and free from harmful contaminants.

“The water testing is free and comprehensive,” said Environmental Health Director Geoffrey Snyder. “Appointments are scheduled convenient to the homeowner, and a trained specialist performs an assessment of your water system and collects water samples. Water samples collected are sent to a certified lab for testing. Our Water Specialist will provide you a water quality report and review of the laboratory analysis, along with recommendations on what you can do to improve and protect your water source.”

The quality and safety of an individual water supply can change during the year. The risk of water contamination can depend on a number of factors, including:

• Howthe well was constructed

• Where the well is located, and if there is enough separation from sources of contamination, such as septic systems, agricultural activity, or surface water

• How well the water source is protected

• How well the components of your water treatment system are maintained

Natural geological conditions in addition to industrial, agricultural and human activities in the area can potentially impact drinking water quality

esidents on a private individual water system can contact the Madison County Health Department’s Environmental Division at 315-366-2526 about free water testing and consultation services. Services are for eligible owners of residential wells, and other small individual onsite water systems in Madison County.

The Health Department’s Individual Water Program has completed over 400 well assessments from 2016-2018. Test results have found 39 percent of water systems tested had coliform bacteria present. The presence of coliform bacteria is an indicator that a water system may be vulnerable to contamination. Among systems positive for coliform bacteria, 6 percent further tested positive for E. coli bacteria that can cause serious gastrointestinal illness. Naturally occurring arsenic was also detected at various levels in 26 percent of the home water systems tested.

Madison County Health Department’s website includes interactive maps showing known sources of potential contamination and geographical areas likely to have higher levels of arsenic, nitrates and other contaminants of concern. Check out the interactive .maps to help guide resident water testing activities online at http://bit.ly/McWaterTest

The U. S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends you test your individual water system:

• Yearly for total coliform bacteria and nitrate

• If you notice a change in water taste or color

• After working on your water system

• If you notice standing water around the base of your well

• If you notice the well cap is not secure