The Texas Well Owner Network, TWON, is hosting upcoming events in South Texas June 22-26. At these events, residents have the opportunity to have their well water screened.
Joel Pigg, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service program specialist and TWON coordinator, Bryan-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.”
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.
Water sampling and meeting information
Robstown
— Robstown area: June 23, water samples can be dropped off from 8:30-10:30 a.m. at the AgriLife Extension office for Nueces County, 710 E. Main Ave, Suite 1, Robstown. There will be a $15 per sample cost for this water screening. You may bring as many samples as you would like for the screening.
On June 25, the follow-up meeting to explain the results of the screenings will be at 7 p.m. at the AgriLife Extension office in Nueces County.
Falfurrias, Alice and Hebbronville
— Falfurrias, Alice and Hebbronville areas: June 23, water samples can be dropped off from 8:00-10 a.m. at the AgriLife Extension office for Jim Hogg County, 109 E. Santa Clara St., Hebbronville, or the AgriLife Extension office for Brooks County, 219 Calixto Mora Avenue, Courthouse Annex, Falfurrias or the Brush County Groundwater Conservation District, 732 West Rice, Falfurrias. There will be no cost for this water screening.
The follow-up meeting to explain the results of the screenings will be from 1 to 2:30 p.m. on June 25 at the Brush Country Groundwater Conservation District Office, 732 West Rice, Falfurrias.
Kingsville and Sarita
— Kingsville and Sarita areas: June 23, water samples can be dropped off from 8-10 a.m. at the AgriLife Extension office for Kleberg County and Kenedy County, 729 East Yoakum Avenue, Kingsville, or the Kenedy County Groundwater Conservation District, 365 La Parra Blvd, Sarita. There will be no cost for this water screening.
The follow-up meeting to explain the results of the screenings will be at 10:30 a.m. June 25 at the AgriLife Extension office in Kingsville.
Zapata and Rio Grande City
— Zapata and Rio Grande City areas: June 23, water samples can be dropped off from 8-10 a.m. at the AgriLife Extension office for Zapata County, 200 E. 7th Avenue, Suite 249, Zapata County Courthouse, Zapata, or at the AgriLife Extension office for Starr County, 500 N. Britton Ave, Rio Grande City. There will be no cost for this water screening.
The follow-up meeting to explain the results of the screenings will be a virtual program at 6 p.m. June 30 at the Zapata County AgriLife Extension office or at the Starr County AgriLife Extension office. You may also contact Joel Pigg at j-pigg@tamu.edu for the Zoom link for this program.
Benavides
— Benavides area: June 24, water samples can be dropped off from 8-11 a.m. at the AgriLife Extension office for Duval County, 131 West Main Street, Benavides, at the Duval County Groundwater Conservation District office, 231 East Railroad Ave, Benavides, or at the AgriLife Extension office for Jim Wells County, 200 N. Almond St., B110, Alice. There will be no cost for this water screening.
On June 25, the follow-up meeting to explain the results of the screenings will be at 4:00 p.m. at the Duval County GCD office, 231 East Railroad Ave, Benavides.
Sinton
— Sinton area: June 24, water samples can be dropped off from 7:30-11 a.m. at the San Patricio County Fairgrounds Civic Center, 219 W. 5th Street, Sinton. There will be a $15 per sample cost for this water screening. You may bring as many samples as you would like for this event.
On June 25, the follow-up meeting to explain the results of the screenings will be at 6:00 p.m. at the San Patricio County Fairgrounds Civis Center, 219 W. 5th Street, Sinton.
Refugio
— Refugio area: June 22, water samples can be dropped off from 8:30-10 a.m. at the Refugio County AgriLife Extension office, 414B N. Alamo Street, Refugio. There will be a $15 per sample cost for the water screening. You may bring as many samples as you would like for this event.
On June 25, the follow-up meeting to explain the results of the screenings and other water-related topics will be from 8 a.m. – noon at the Refugio County Fairgrounds, 109 Fairgrounds Road, Refugio.
San Benito, Edinburg and Raymondville
— San Benito, Edinburg and Raymondville areas: June 22, water samples can be dropped off from 8-10 a.m. at the AgriLife Extension office for Cameron County, 1390 W. Expressway 83, San Benito, or the AgriLife Extension office for Hidalgo County, 410 N. 13th Avenue, Edinburg, or the AgriLife Extension office for Willacy County, 471 W. Hidalgo Ave., Raymondville. There will be no cost for this water screening.
The follow-up meeting to explain the results of the screenings will be from 8:00 a.m. till 1:00 p.m. on June 23 at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center at Weslaco, 2415 E. Business 83, Weslaco.
Laredo
— Laredo area: June 23, water samples can be dropped off from 8 a.m.- 4 p.m. at the AgriLife Extension office for Webb County, 7209 E. Saunders Street, Suite 5, Laredo, or at the Small Acreage Ranching Program at the same location from 7-8 p.m. There will be no cost for this water screening.
The follow-up meeting to explain the results of the screenings will be from 4-5:30 p.m. on June 25 at the Duval County GCD office, 231 East Railroad Ave, Benavides.
Sampling instructions
A water sample form must be completed for each sample submitted. Follow the directions below for sample collection. Visit twon.tamu.edu for a printable version of the collection instructions and the sample information sheet.
- Pour the contents out of a new bottle of water, 12-20 ounces, and fill it with a water sample from your private water well.
- Take the sample from the spigot/hose bib nearest to the wellhead. Remove the water hose if one is present and take the water directly from the spigot/hose bib.
- If an inside faucet is used, remove the aerator on the faucet before making the collection. Rinse and dry the exterior of the faucet to prevent contamination of the water sample.
- If possible, wipe off with a Clorox-type towelette or paper towel wetted with a light bleach solution to kill any bacteria present on the faucet. Allow the cleaning solution to dry before sampling.
- Turn the water full force and let it run for 2 minutes or until you hear the pump start running.
- Reduce the water flow to a small stream, then take the sample.
Sample transportation
Refrigerate the sample and transport it to the drop-off location in an ice chest as soon after collection as possible. It is best to collect the day the sample is submitted. Otherwise, make sure the sample is kept cool and out of direct sunlight. The sample should be collected within 24 hours of submission to ensure accurate results.
“We encourage you to bring samples from all wells on your property,” Pigg said. “Also, many participants who have water treatment equipment take samples before and after the treatment to make sure the equipment is functioning properly.”
Each sample should be labeled with your name, and if you bring more than one sample, the label should indicate which well the sample came from.
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 that 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 and young livestock are most susceptible to this.”
Long-term consumption of arsenic in water, Pigg said, increases the risk of skin cancer and cancer in the liver, bladder and lungs. In addition, chronic exposure to arsenic may lead to gastrointestinal irritation and cardiovascular disease.
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.
More information
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 offices in San Patricio County, Webb County, Nueces County, Duval County, Jim Wells County, Jim Hogg County, Cameron County, Willacy County, Hidalgo County, Refugio County, Brooks County, Zapata County, Starr County, and Kenedy and Kleberg counties. Additional support is also provided by Duval County GCD, Brush Country GCD and Kenedy County GCD.
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. The project is managed by TWRI, a unit of Texas A&M AgriLife Research.
