LEAKESVILLE, Miss. -- South Mississippi homeowners with private wells will have an opportunity next month to learn how to improve the functionality of their drinking water sources.

The Mississippi Well Owner Network, a program of the Mississippi State University Extension Service, will hold a workshop at the Extension office in Greene County May 8 at 2 p.m.

Private well screenings for bacteria are offered through the program. Well owners can pick up sample bottles and collection instructions April 30 to May 4 and May 7-8 at the Extension office on 414 Oak Street in Leakesville. Each sample analysis costs $25.

A water screening is not required to attend the workshop, nor is attendance required to have water screened. Those who are planning to attend can bring their water samples to the workshop. For best results, use the sample bottles provided by the MSU Extension county office.

Screening results will be mailed to each well owner, along with a publication explaining how to interpret the results. Participants will receive free MSU Extension publications with information on private wells and septic systems.

Preregister for the workshop at http://gcd.msstate.com/register or by calling 662-325-1788.