The Texas Well Owner Network, TWON, is hosting “Well Informed” water well screening events in Llano, Lampasas and Goldthwaite, Texas, Dec. 11-14 to allow residents to have their well water screened for possible contaminates.
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
- Llano County: Dec. 11, participants can drop off water samples from 8-10 a.m. at the AgriLife Extension office for Llano County, 1447 E. State Highway 71, Unit E, in Llano. The cost is $15 per sample for the water screening.
On Dec. 12, the follow-up meeting to explain the results of the screenings will be from 6-7 p.m. at the St. James Lutheran Church, Schorlemmer Hall, 1401 Ford Street, Llano.
- Mills County: Dec. 12, participants can drop off water samples from 8:30-10 a.m. at the AgriLife Extension Office, 1011 4th Street (Courthouse), in Goldthwaite. The cost is $15 per sample for the water screening.
On Dec. 13, the follow-up meeting to explain the results of the screenings will be from 4-5 p.m. at the Mills County State Bank, 1103 Parker Street, Community Room, Goldthwaite.
- Lampasas County: Dec. 13, participants can drop off water samples from 8-10 a.m. at the AgriLife Extension office for Lampasas County, 409 S. Pecan Street, Lampasas. The cost is $15 per sample for the water screening.
On Dec. 14, the follow-up meeting to explain the results of the screenings will be from 1-2 p.m. at the Grace Fellowship Church, 2974 US-281, Lampasas.
Sampling instructions
Smith said area residents wanting to have their well water screened should pick up a sample bag, bottle and instructions from the Llano County AgriLife Extension office.
“It is very important that participants only use sampling bags and bottles from the AgriLife Extension offices, and follow all instructions for proper sampling to ensure accurate results,” he said.
Owners should test private water wells should annually, he said. The samples will be screened for contaminants, including total coliform bacteria, E. coli, nitrate-nitrogen and salinity.
Smith said it is essential for those submitting samples to be at the follow-up meeting to receive results, learn corrective measures for identified problems and improve their understanding of private well management.
Well water contaminants, concerns
Smith 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. The state considers water with nitrate-nitrogen at levels of 10 parts per million 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,” Smith said. “Infants less than 6 months of age are most susceptible to this.”
Screenings will also determine salinity, as measured by total dissolved solids, 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 John W. Smith at 979-204-0573 or john.smith@ag.tamu.edu, or Joel Pigg at 979-321-5946 or j-pigg@tamu.edu.
AgriLife Extension and Texas Water Resources Institute, TWRI, present the screenings in partnership with the AgriLife Extension office in Llano County.
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, part of Texas A&M AgriLife Research, AgriLife Extension and the Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
