The Texas Well Owner Network, TWON, will host water well screenings in Northeast Texas on May 5-8 for residents and well owners.

A windmill against a blue sky
The Texas Well Owner Network will host water well screenings in Northeast Texas on May 5-8 for residents and well owners. (Texas A&M AgriLife)

Water samples will be screened for contaminants, including total coliform bacteria, E. coli, nitrate-nitrogen and salinity.

“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 and TWON coordinator, Department of Soil and Crop Sciences, Bryan-College Station. 

The program will allow well owners to learn more about improving and protecting their community water resources. 

Water sampling and meeting information

Area residents can drop off water samples from 8:30-10 a.m. May 5 at the following locations:

  • Harrison County: AgriLife Extension office, 2005 Warren Drive, Marshall. 
  • Gregg County: AgriLife Extension office, 405 E. Marshall Ave., Suite 101, Longview.
  • Marion County: AgriLife Extension office, 130 Kelly Park Road, Suite A, Jefferson.
  • Rusk County: AgriLife Extension office, 113 Fordall St., or Rusk County Groundwater Conservation District office, 500 N. High St., both in Henderson.
  • Panola County: AgriLife Extension office, 316 W. Sabine, or the Panola County Groundwater Conservation District office, 419 W. Sabine, both in Carthage.

On May 8, the follow-up “Well Educated” meeting will be from 8 a.m. to noon at the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame, 310 W. Panola St., Carthage. The meeting will cover well and aquifer basics, septic systems, water treatment and screening results. 

Lunch will be provided. Attendees should RSVP by noon on May 5 by calling the Panola County Groundwater Conservation District at 903-690-0143.

Also, the “Well Informed” meeting to explain water sample results will be at 6 p.m. on May 8 at Gold Hall, 101 Elm St., Hallsville. Staff will also discuss water quality and well management.


Sampling instructions

Residents who want to have their well water tested should pick up a sample bag, bottle and instructions from their local AgriLife Extension office before the event. Each sample costs $15, and residents may submit multiple samples.

“It’s essential to use the official sample bags and bottles and follow all instructions to ensure accurate results,” Pigg said.

Well owners should test their water annually and attend the follow-up meeting to receive results, learn about corrective actions and improve their knowledge of private well management, Pigg said. 

The screenings are presented by AgriLife Extension and the Texas Water Resources Institute, TWRI, in partnership with the AgriLife Extension offices in Harrison, Gregg, Marion, Rusk and Panola counties.

Funding for TWON comes from a Clean Water Act Section 319(h) nonpoint source grant from the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

For more information, visit twon.tamu.edu, or contact Pigg at 979-321-5946 or j[email protected]. 

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