The Texas Well Owner Network, TWON, is hosting an upcoming event Aug. 6-7 to allow residents to have their well water screened: the “Well Informed” water well screening will be in Snyder.
Joel Pigg, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service program specialist and TWON coordinator, 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, arsenic and salinity. Organizers encourage well owners to bring water samples from all of the wells on their property and before and after any water treatment systems that may be attached to the wells. For this program you will also have the opportunity to turn in a water sample to be taken to the Soil, Water and Forage Testing Laboratory on the Texas A&M University Campus for a comprehensive testing of your water.
Water sampling and meeting information
— Scurry County: Thursday, Aug. 6, participants can drop off water samples from 8:30-11:00 a.m. at the AgriLife Extension office for Scurry County, 2605 Avenue M, Snyder. There will be a $15 per sample cost for the water well screening. Organizers encourage you to bring as many samples as you would like.
— Mitchell County: Thursday, Aug. 6, participants can drop off water samples from 8:30-11:00 a.m. at the AgriLife Extension office for Mitchell County, 440 E. 2nd Street, Colorado City or the Lone Wolf Groundwater Conservation District office, 139 W. 2nd, Colorado City. The cost will be a $15 per sample for the water well screening. Organizers encourage you to bring as many samples as you would like.
The follow-up meeting to explain the results of the screenings will be from 1:00 p.m. till 2:30 p.m. on Friday, August 7th at the Scurry County AgriLife Extension Office, 2605 Avenue M, Snyder. Topics covered will include: water well basics, water well’s 101, water quality and sample results.
Pigg said it is essential for those submitting samples to be at the appropriate follow-up meeting. There, they will receive results, learn corrective measures for identified problems and improve their understanding of private well management.
Sampling instructions
Participants must complete a water sample form for each sample submitted. Follow the directions below for sample collection: (visit our website https://twon.tamu.edu/ for a printable version of the collection instructions and the sample information sheet)
Owners should test private water wells annually, he said. The samples will be screened for contaminants, including total coliform bacteria, E. coli, nitrate-nitrogen, arsenic and salinity.
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.
AgriLife Extension and Texas Water Resources Institute, TWRI present the screenings.
Funding for TWON is through a Clean Water Act nonpoint source grant provided by the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. TWRI manages the project. TWRI is a unit of Texas A&M AgriLife Research that combines expertise across The Texas A&M University System.
