The Texas Well Owner Network will be having free water well trainings July 26 in Fredericksburg and July 27 in Wimberley for anyone interested in private water well management.
“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 July 26 training will be from 1-5 p.m. at the Gillespie County Farm Bureau, 237 Equestrian Dr. in Fredericksburg.
The July 27 training will be from 8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. at the Wimberley Community Center, 14068 Ranch Road 12 in Wimberley.
He 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,” Gholson said.
Well owners near Fredericksburg who would like to have their well water sampled can pick up two sample containers from the AgriLife Extension offices in Gillespie County, 95 Frederick Rd. in Fredericksburg; Kendall County, 210 E San Antonio, Ste 9 in Boerne, or Kerr County, 3775 Highway 27 in Kerrville, or the Hill Country Groundwater Conservation District office, 508 S. Washington in Fredericksburg.
Well owners near Wimberley can pick up two sample containers from the AgriLife Extension offices in Hays County, 1253 Civic Center Loop in San Marcos, or Blanco County, 101 E. Cypress, Ste. 109 in Johnson City.
Bringing water samples to the training is not required, Gholson said, but those wanting to have water samples analyzed must attend.
Gholson said space is limited, so attendees are requested to register by contacting TWON at twon.tamu.edu/training or by calling (979) 845-1461 as soon as possible.
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.