When Have You Tested Your Private Water Well?

Private water wells should be tested annually.  The Texas Well Owner Network, in partnership with the Wise County Office of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and the Texas Water Resources Institute, and with support from the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board is providing a water well screening day for area residents on October 30, 2013, at the Decatur Office of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service.

Please turn fresh water samples in on Wednesday, October 30, between 8:00 - 10:00 a.m. at the Extension office. Samples from private water wells will be screened for common contaminants including fecal coliform bacteria, nitrates, and high salinity.  The cost is $15 per sample.

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 symptoms. 

Water with nitrates at levels of 10 parts per million (ppm) is considered unsafe for human consumption.  Nitrate levels above 10 ppm 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 (TDS) will also be determined for each sample.  Water with high TDS levels may leave deposits and have a salty taste.  Additionally, using water with high TDS for irrigation may damage the soil or plants.

Pick up a sample bag and sampling instructions from the Wise County Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Office before Wednesday, October 30.  The Wise County Extension Office (940/ 627-3341) is in Decatur, at 206 S. State.  It is very important that only sample bags from the Wise County Extension Office be used and all instructions for proper sampling followed to ensure accurate results.

A meeting explaining screening results will be held at 5:30 p.m. on October 31, 2013 at the Wise County Sheriff Posse Grounds, Women’s Building, 3101 S. FM 51, Decatur, Texas. For more information, please contact Todd Vineyard, Wise County Extension Agent at (940) 627-3341.  It is extremely important to be at the meeting to receive your results, learn corrective measures for identified problems, and to improve your understanding of private well management.

Support for the Texas Well Owner Network program is provided through Clean Water Act §319(h) Nonpoint Source funding from the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under Agreement No. 10-04.