The Texas Well Owner Network, TWON, is hosting well water screenings April 21-22 for residents and well owners in the Alpine area and Brewster, Jeff Davis and Presidio counties in Far West Texas.
Water samples will be screened for contaminants, including total coliform bacteria, E. coli, nitrate-nitrogen, arsenic and salinity.
“The TWON program was established to help well owners become familiar with Texas groundwater resources, septic system maintenance, well maintenance and construction, and water quality and treatment,” said Joel Pigg, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service program specialist and TWON coordinator, Department of Soil and Crop Sciences, Bryan-College Station.
The program allows well owners to learn more about improving and protecting their community water resources, Pigg said.
Water sampling and meeting information
Brewster county: April 21, water samples can be dropped off from 8:30-10 a.m. at the
Brewster County AgriLife Extension office, 2101 FM 1703, Alpine or the Brewster Groundwater Conservation District office, 201 W. Ave E, Alpine.
Presidio county: April 21, water samples can be dropped off from 8:30-10 a.m. at the Presidio County Underground Water Conservation District office, 300 N. Highland (2nd Floor Courthouse), Marfa.
Jeff Davis county: April 21, water samples can be dropped off from 8:30-10 a.m. at the Jeff Davis County UWCD office, 112 State Street, Ft. Davis.
On April 22, a “Well Informed” follow-up meeting will explain water well basics, aquifer basics, septic systems, water treatment and the results of the water quality screenings, and it will begin at 8 a.m. at the Judge Val Beard Building, 207 N. 7th Street, Alpine. A Rainwater harvesting presentation will also be given at this time and location.
Sampling instructions
Residents wanting to have their well water screened should pick up sample bags, bottle and instructions from the local AgriLife Extension office before the date of the event. There will be a $15 per sample charge for this water well screening and residents may bring as many samples as they would like.
“It is very important that only sampling bags and bottles be used, and all instructions for proper sampling are followed to ensure accurate results,” Pigg said.
Also, he said, it is essential for those submitting samples to be at the follow-up meeting to receive results, learn corrective measures for identified problems and improve their understanding of private well management.
Concerns about well water quality
Pigg said research shows the presence of E. coli bacteria in water indicates that waste from humans or warm-blooded animals may have contaminated the water. Water contaminated with E. coli is more likely to also have pathogens that can cause diarrhea, cramps, nausea or other symptoms.
The presence of nitrate-nitrogen in well water is also a concern, and water with nitrate-nitrogen at levels of 10 parts per million is considered unsafe for human consumption, he said.
“These nitrate levels above 10 parts per million can disrupt the ability of blood to carry oxygen throughout the body, resulting in a condition called methemoglobinemia,” Pigg said. “Infants less than 6 months of age are most susceptible to this.”
Salinity, as measured by total dissolved solids, will also be determined for each sample, he said. Water with high levels may leave deposits and have a salty taste. Using water with high levels for irrigation may damage soil or plants.
To learn more about the program, visit twon.tamu.edu. For more information on the water screening contact Pigg at 979-321-5946 or j-pigg@tamu.edu.
The screenings are presented by AgriLife Extension and Texas Water Resources Institute, TWRI, in partnership with the AgriLife Extension offices in Brewster, Jeff Davis and Presidio counties.
Funding for TWON is through a Clean Water Act Section 319(h) nonpoint source grant provided by the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The project is managed by TWRI, a unit of Texas A&M AgriLife Research that brings together expertise from across The Texas A&M University System.