The Texas Well Owner Network, TWON, will host a private well water screening for Walker County and Grimes County residents on Oct. 27-28 in Huntsville and Navasota. 

A windmill against a cloudy sky
The Texas Well Owner Network, TWON, will host a private well water screening for Walker County and Grimes County residents on Oct. 27-28 in Huntsville and Navasota. (Sam Craft/Texas A&M AgriLife)

Joel Pigg, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service program specialist and TWON coordinator, Department of Soil and Crop Sciences, Bryan-College Station, said the Texas Well Owner Network program is for Texas residents who depend on household wells for their water needs.  

“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,” Pigg said. 

There is a $15 charge per sample, and residents may submit multiple samples. Water samples will be screened for contaminants, including total coliform bacteria, E. coli, nitrate-nitrogen and salinity.  

Water sampling and meeting information

Water samples can be dropped off on Oct. 27 from 8:30-10:30 a.m. at the following locations: 

  • AgriLife Extension office in Grimes County, 203 Veterans Memorial Drive, Navasota. 
  • AgriLife Extension office in Walker County, 102 Tam Road, Suite B, Huntsville. 

The results and educational meeting will be held on Oct. 28 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Huntsville Public Library, 1219 13th St.

Residents are asked to RSVP to Pigg at [email protected] by Oct. 22 to ensure adequate meeting room size. 

Sampling instructions

Attendees are asked to follow the instructions below to collect their well water sample:

  • Empty the contents of a new 12-20 ounce bottle of water and fill it with a water sample from your private water well.
  • Take the sample from the spigot/hose bib nearest the wellhead. If a water hose is present,  remove it and take the water directly from the spigot/hose bib.
  • If an inside faucet is used, remove the faucet aerator before making the collection. Rinse and dry the exterior of the faucet to prevent contamination of the water sample.
  • If possible, wipe with a Clorox-type towelette or paper towel dampened with a light bleach solution to kill any bacteria present on the faucet. Allow the cleaning solution to dry before collecting the sample.
  • Turn the water on full force and let it run for 2 minutes or until the pump starts running.
  • Reduce the water flow to a small stream, then take the sample.
  • The sample should be collected within 24 hours of submission to ensure accurate results.

It is best to collect the sample day it is submitted. Keep the sample cool and transport it to the drop-off location in an ice chest as soon as possible after collection. 

“We encourage you to bring samples from all wells on your property,” Pigg said. “Also, many participants who have water treatment equipment take samples before and after the treatment to make sure the equipment is functioning properly.”

Each sample should be labeled with both its name and the well from which it came. 

Pigg said it is essential for those submitting samples to attend the follow-up meeting to receive results, learn corrective measures for identified problems and improve their understanding of private well management.

Water contaminant 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. 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 the 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.

For more information on the water screening, contact Pigg at 979-321-5946 or [email protected].

The screenings are presented by AgriLife Extension and the Texas Water Resources Institute, TWRI.

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