The Penn State School of Forest Resources Study, funded by the Center for Rural Pennsylvania and Pennsylvania Water Resources Research Center, is offering qualified participants about $300 worth of free tests as part of the study.

Extension Water Resources Specialist Brian Swistock told WJAC-TV that the study results will show any effect that drilling activity, well pad construction or accidents have had on private well water supplies.

"These wastewaters have a fairly unique chemistry in them,” said Swistock. “They're very salty and have lots of metals in them. If you were to get even small amounts of that in your water, you could potentially pick it up in some of the changes in the inorganic chemistry.”

Rep. Scott Conklin is urging residents to get their water sources tested before drilling activity approaches residential areas in northern Centre County.

"By having your water tested today, you'll be able to show that three years from now, if there is any contamination, that it did occur from the drilling or it did occur from an incident,” said Conklin. “This is your only way to prove that you water was clean before it started.”

Swistock said Pennsylvanians often overlook the plentiful water supply and should monitor it more.

"We take water for granted in this state to a large degree, because we have so much of it. All you have to do is go to another state where they don't have as much ground or surface water as we do and realize pretty quickly how lucky we are."

To view the qualifications of the well water study and to apply for the program, CLICK HERE.