The Texas Well Owner Network, TWON, is hosting well water screenings in Blanco County May 28-29 for residents and well owners.
Joel Pigg, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service program specialist, College Station, said the Texas Well Owner Network program is for Texas residents who depend on household wells for their water needs.
“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,” he said. “It allows them to learn more about how to improve and protect their community water resources.”
Water samples will be screened for contaminants, including total coliform bacteria, E. coli, nitrate-nitrogen and salinity.
Water sampling and meeting information
May 28, water samples can be dropped off from 8:30-10 a.m. at the AgriLife Extension office, 200 N. Avenue G, Suite 7, Johnson City, or at the Blanco Pedernales Groundwater Conservation District office, 601 W. Main Street, Johnson City.
On May 29, the “Well Informed” follow-up meeting to explain water sample results for the water screening will be held at the Blanco County Fair and Rodeo, 619 US 281, Johnson City at 4 p.m.
Sampling instructions
Pigg said area residents wanting to have their well water screened should pick up sample bags, bottle and instructions from the local AgriLife Extension office or Groundwater Conservation District office before the date of the event. There will be a $15 per sample charge for this water well screening and attendees may bring as many samples as they would like to have screened.
“It is very important that only sampling bags and bottles be used, and all instructions for proper sampling are followed to ensure accurate results,” he said.
Private water wells should be tested annually, he said. The samples will be screened for contaminants, including total coliform bacteria, E. coli, nitrate-nitrogen, arsenic and salinity.
Pigg said it is essential for those submitting samples to be at the appropriate follow-up meeting to receive results, learn corrective measures for identified problems and improve their understanding of private well management.
Well water contaminants concerns
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 programs offered through the network or to find additional publications and resources, 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 office in Blanco County and the Blanco Pedernales Groundwater Conservation District.
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 Texas A&M AgriLife Research unit that combines expertise from across The Texas A&M University System.
