An online Texas Well Owner Network, TWON, virtual training has been scheduled for Oct 15.
The “Well Educated” training, which is free and open to the public, will be from 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m., with presentations given virtually from Bryan-College Station.
The program is targeted to residents of Edwards, Kimble and Sutton counties but others may participate. Those interested can register online or call 979-845-1461.
Joel Pigg, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service program specialist and TWON coordinator, Bryan-College Station, said the TWON program is 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,” Pigg said. “It allows them to learn more about how to improve and protect their community water resources.”
He said participants may turn in well-water samples for screening at a cost of $10 per sample, due when the samples are turned in.
“Water samples will be screened for nitrates, total dissolved solids and bacteria,” Pigg said. “Those interested should only provide samples using the containers and instructions provided by AgriLife Extension.”
Sample containers and instructions can be obtained at the following AgriLife Extension offices:
- Kimble County, 501 Main St., Junction.
- Edwards County, 400 Main St., Rocksprings.
- Sutton County, 1700 N. Crockett St., Sonora.
They may also be obtained at:
- Kimble County Groundwater Conservation District Office, 501 Main St., Junction.
- Sutton County Underground Water Conservation District Office, 301 S. Crockett Ave., Sonora.
- Real-Edwards Conservation and Reclamation District Office, 234 Evergreen St., Leakey.
Samples must be turned in at one of these locations by 10 a.m. Oct. 14.
Pigg said bringing water samples is not required, but those wanting to have water samples analyzed will need to attend the training.
“The training is one of several being conducted statewide through the Texas Well Owner Network project,” Pigg said. “The core content of this program is the same as other trainings, but the information is tailored to local water quality issues and aquifers.”
Pigg said more than a million private water wells in Texas provide water to citizens in rural areas and increasingly to those living on small acreages at the growing rural-urban interface.
“Private well owners are independently responsible for monitoring the quality of their wells,” he noted. “They are responsible for all aspects of ensuring their drinking water system is safe by testing, inspecting and maintaining the well, and this training will help them understand and care for their wells.”
Funding for the Texas Well Owner Network 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, part of Texas A&M AgriLife Research, AgriLife Extension and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Texas A&M University.
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