The Texas Well Owner Network, TWON, will host low-cost water well screenings for residents in the South Plains on Sept. 16-20.
Water samples will be screened for contaminants, including total coliform bacteria, E. coli, nitrate-nitrogen and salinity, and in some counties, arsenic.
“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,” said Joel Pigg, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service program specialist, Bryan-College Station. “It allows them to learn more about how to improve and protect their community water resources.”
Water sample and meeting information
Residents can drop off well water samples at these times and locations:
- For Castro, Swisher, Briscoe, Bailey, Lamb, Hale and Floyd counties: samples may be dropped off at the local county AgriLife Extension office between 8:30 and 10 a.m. on Sept. 16.
- For Cochran, Hockley, Lubbock, Crosby, Yoakum, Terry and Dawson counties: samples may dropped off at the local county AgriLife Extension office between 8:30 and 10 a.m. on Sept. 17.
Follow-up meetings with 1-hour educational presentations covering well head protection, water quality issues and results from the water samples will be held at these locations:
- Castro, Bailey and Lamb counties: Sept. 18, 4 p.m. at West Texas Coffee, 107 East Bedford Street, Dimmitt.
- Hockley and Cochran counties: Sept. 18, 5 p.m. at the Hockley County Extension Office, 1212 Houston Street, Suite 2, Levelland
- Crosby and Floyd counties: Sept. 19, 11 a.m. at the Crosby County Extension Office, 201 W. Aspen Street, Suite 011, Crosbyton.
- Swisher and Briscoe Counties: Sept. 19, 2 p.m. at the Swisher County Extension Office, 310 W. Broadway, Tulia.
- Lubbock County: Sept. 19, 4 p.m. at the Lubbock County Extension Office, 916 Main Street, Suite 401, Lubbock.
- Dawson County: Sept. 20, 9 a.m. at the Dawson County AgriLife Extension office, 901 B South Houston, Lamesa.
- Terry and Yoakum Counties: Sept. 19, 6 p.m. at Coleman Park Party House, 101 Park Road, Brownfield.
The educational program for Hale County will be a 4-hour program covering water well basics, aquifers, septic systems, water quality and water treatment options as well as sample results:
- Hale County: Sept. 18, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. at Hale County Extension Office, 225 Broadway, Suite 6, Plainview.
Sampling instructions
Residents should pick up the sample bag, bottle and instructions from their local AgriLife Extension office or groundwater conservation district office before the date of the event.
There will be a $15 per sample charge for this water well screening, and residents may bring as many samples as you would like. Residents that live within the boundaries of the High Palins Underground Water Conservation District #1 will have sample costs covered by the district.
“It is very important that only sampling bags and bottles be used, and all instructions for proper sampling are followed to ensure accurate results,” he said.
Private water wells should be tested annually, and Pigg said it is essential for residents submitting samples to attend 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 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 are most susceptible to this.”
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.
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 j-pigg@tamu.edu.
The screenings are presented by AgriLife Extension and the Texas Water Resources Institute, TWRI, in partnership with AgriLife Extension.
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, a unit of Texas A&M AgriLife Research that brings together expertise from across The Texas A&M University System.
