COLLEGE STATION — The Texas Well Owner Network will present water well screenings on March 9 for Dimmit, La Salle, Zavala, Atascosa and Frio counties to give residents the opportunity to have their well water tested.
A Texas Well Owner Network well water screening for Atascosa, Dimmit, Frio, LaSalle and Zavala counties will be held March 9. (Texas Well Owner Network photo)
The screenings are presented by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service offices in these counties in partnership with the Texas Water Resources Institute.
“Private water wells should be tested annually,” said John W. Smith, AgriLife Extension program specialist, College Station.
Smith said for bringing well water samples to the upcoming screenings, only sampling bags from an AgriLife Extension county office should be used and individuals should properly follow all instructions to ensure accurate results.
Times and locations for the March 9 screenings will be:
– From 8:30–9 a.m. at the AgriLife Extension offices for Dimmit County, 303 S. Fifth St., Carrizo Springs; La Salle County, 247 Mars Dr., Cotulla; and Zavala County, 221 N. First Ave., Crystal City.
– From 8:30–9 a.m. at the AgriLife Extension offices for Atascosa County, 1003 Oak St., Jourdanton, and Frio County, 400 S. Pecan St., Pearsall.
Cost is $10 per sample and samples must be turned in by 9 a.m. on the day of the screening. Samples will be screened for common contaminants, including fecal coliform bacteria, nitrates and high salinity.
For Dimmit, La Salle and Zavala counties, a follow-up meeting explaining screening results will be held at 7:30 p.m. March 9 at the AgriLife Extension office in Carrizo Springs.
For Atascosa and Frio counties, a follow-up meeting to explain screening results will be held at 6 p.m. March 10 at the AgriLife Extension office in Pearsall.
Smith said the presence of fecal coliform bacteria in water indicates that waste from humans or warm-blooded animals may have contaminated the water. Water contaminated with fecal coliform bacteria is more likely to also have pathogens present that can cause diarrhea, cramps, nausea or other health issues.
“Water with nitrate nitrogen at levels of 10 parts per million is considered unsafe for human consumption,” Smith 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. 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. Water with high levels may leave deposits and have a salty taste, and using water with high levels for irrigation may damage soil or plants.
Smith said it is important for those submitting samples to be at the meeting to receive results, learn corrective measures for identified problems and to improve understanding of private well management.
For more information on the Dimmit County screening, call 830-876-4216; La Salle County, call 830-483-5165; and Zavala County, call 830-374-2883;
For more information on the Atascosa County screening, call 830-769-3066; and Frio County, call 830-334-0099.
To learn more about programs offered through the Texas Well Owner Network or to find additional publications and resources, go to http://twon.tamu.edu.
Support for the Texas Well Owner Network program is provided through Clean Water Act nonpoint source funding from the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
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