A Texas Well Owner Network (TWON) training has been scheduled for Sept. 25 in Carthage.
The training, which is free and open to the public, will be from 8 a.m.-noon at the Panola County Expo Center, 2 Ballpark Road. A lunch, sponsored by the Panola Soil and Water Conservation District and Panola Groundwater Conservation District, will be provided immediately following the workshop.
Dr. Drew Gholson, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service program specialist and TWON coordinator, said TWON is a program for Texas residents who depend on household wells for their water needs.
“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,” he said. “It allows them to learn more about how to improve and protect their community water resources.”
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, pH and bacteria,” Gholson said.
Well owners who would like to have their well water sampled can pick up two sample containers from the AgriLife Extension office in Panola County at 522 W. College St. in Carthage. They may also obtain sample containers from the Panola County Soil and Water Conservation District office or the Panola County Groundwater Conservation District office.
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 on the website or by calling 979-845-1461 as soon as possible.
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 the Texas Water Resources Institute.
Read the complete AgriLife Today release.