The Texas Well Owner Network is having several private water well screenings in August as well a training program for those interested in private water well management, Aug. 23 in Conroe.
“The Texas Well Owner Network, or TWON program, is for Texas residents who depend on household wells for their water needs, so they can learn about improving and protecting their community water resources,” said Drew Gholson, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service program specialist and network coordinator. “The 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.”
The water well screenings give residents the opportunity to have their well water tested, which should be tested annually, according to John Smith, AgriLife Extension program specialist.
Smith said those submitting samples should use only sampling bags from their respective AgriLife Extension office and follow instructions to ensure accurate results. The cost is $10 per sample and samples must be turned in by 10 a.m. the day of the screening.
The screenings will be from 8:30-10 a.m. on the following dates and locations:
– Aug. 1 at the AgriLife Extension office for Liberty County, 501 Palmer Ave. in Liberty, or at McLeod Park, 10717 Langston Drive, Mont Belvieu. A follow-up meeting to explain screening results will be at 6 p.m. Aug. 2 at McLeod Park.
– Aug. 2 at the AgriLife Extension office for Chambers County, 295 White Memorial Park Road, Anahuac. A follow-up meeting to explain screening results will be at 6 p.m. Aug. 3 at the AgriLife Extension office.
Samples will be screened for common contaminants, including fecal coliform bacteria, nitrates and high salinity. Smith said it is extremely important for those submitting samples to be at the meeting to receive results, learn corrective measures for identified problems and better understand private well management.
The screenings are presented by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service offices in the counties in collaboration with the Texas Water Resources Institute.
The Aug. 23 training is being offered to area private water well owners through collaboration with the Lone Star Groundwater Conservation District.
The training, which is free and open to the public, will be from 1-5 p.m. at the Lone Star Groundwater Conservation District Office, 655 Conroe Park North Drive.
Gholson said participants may bring well-water samples to the training for screening. The cost is $10 per sample, due when samples are turned in.
“Water samples will be screened for nitrates, total dissolved solids and bacteria,” he said.
Well owners who would like to have their well water sampled can pick up two sample containers from the AgriLife Extension offices in Montgomery County, Walker County or San Jacinto County or the Lone Star Groundwater Conservation District Office.
Bringing water samples to the training is not required, Gholson said, but those wanting to have samples water analyzed must attend.
Gholson said space is limited for the Aug. 23 training, so attendees are asked to register by contacting TWON at twon.tamu.edu/training or by calling (979) 845-1461 as soon as possible.
The training is one of several being conducted statewide through the Continued Statewide Delivery of the Texas Well Owner Network project.
To learn more about programs offered through the Texas Well Owner Network or to find additional publications and resources, go to twon.tamu.edu.
Funding for the Texas Well Owner Network is through a nonpoint source grant provided by the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board. The project is managed by the Texas Water Resources Institute.