The Texas Well Owner Network is hosting a “Well Informed” water well screening May 2-3 in Llano.
The water screening for area residents will take place May 2 with a meeting on May 3 to discuss and explain the water sample results.
The screening is presented by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and Texas Water Resources Institute, TWRI, in partnership with the AgriLife Extension office in Llano County.
Water sample drop-off will be on May 2 from 8:30-10 a.m. at the AgriLife Extension office for Llano County, 1447 E. State Highway 71, Unit E. The cost for each sample is $10.
A meeting explaining screening results will be May 3 at 6 p.m. at the St. James Lutheran, Schorlemmer Hall, 1401 Ford St., Llano. For more information, contact the AgriLife Extension office in Llano County at 325-247-5159.
John Smith, AgriLife Extension program specialist, Bryan-College Station, said area residents wanting to have their well water screened should pick up a sample bag, bottle and instructions from the AgriLife Extension office for Llano County.
“It is very important that only sampling bags and bottles from the AgriLife Extension office be used and all instructions for proper sampling are followed to ensure accurate results,” Smith said.
Smith said it is extremely important for those submitting samples to be at the May 3 meeting to receive results, learn corrective measures for identified problems and improve their understanding of private well management.
Contaminant concerns
Smith said private water wells should be tested annually.
“Samples submitted will be screened for contaminants, including total coliform bacteria, E. coli, nitrate-nitrogen and salinity,” he said.
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 present that can cause diarrhea, cramps, nausea or other symptoms.
The presence of nitrate-nitrogen in well water is also a concern.
“Water with nitrate-nitrogen at levels of 10 parts per million is considered unsafe for human consumption,” Smith said.
He said 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. Infants less than 6 months of age and young livestock are most susceptible.
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 http://twon.tamu.edu.
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 TWRI, 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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