The Texas Well Owner Network, TWON, is hosting an upcoming event in Roby on October 13 and 15 to allow residents to have their well water screened.
John Smith, 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
Water samples can be dropped off at these locations on Oct. 13 from 8:30-10 a.m.:
- Fisher County: AgriLife Extension Office, 109 North Concho Street, Roby
- Nolan County: AgriLife Extension Office, 100 E. 3rd Street, Suite 305, Sweetwater.
- Jones County: AgriLife Extension Office, Courthouse Basement, 1100 12th Street, Anson.
There will be a cost of $15 for each sample screened and participants are encouraged to bring samples from all wells they have on their property.
On Oct. 15, the follow-up meeting to explain the screening results will be from 3-4 p.m. at the Church of Christ Fellowship Hall, 1701 South 1st Street, Roby.
Joel Pigg, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service program specialist and TWON coordinator, Texas A&M Department of Soil and Crop Sciences, Bryan-College Station, said it is essential for those submitting samples to attend the follow-up meeting to receive results, learn corrective measures for identified problems and improve their understanding of private well management.
Sample instructions
Those submitting samples are asked to follow the water sample instructions available at tx.ag/TexasWellOwnerHome under the water sample information tabs.
A water sample form must be completed for each sample.
For more information on the water screening contact Pigg at 979-321-5946 or j-pigg@tamu.edu or Smith at 979-204-0573 or john.smith@ag.tamu.edu.
The screenings are presented by AgriLife Extension and Texas Water Resources Institute, TWRI, a unit of Texas A&M AgriLife Research that combines expertise across The Texas A&M University System.
Funding for TWON is through a Clean Water Act source grant provided by the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
