Rio Grande Valley residents will have the opportunity to have their water wells tested during a water well testing program slated for April 18 and 19, 2016. The testing program is presented by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension in partnership with the Texas Water Resources Institute. Private water wells are the responsibility of the property owner and should be tested annually.
- To participate in the testing program, stop by the County Extension office and register to participate in the program.
- The deadline to register is Friday, April 15, 2016 at 5:00 p.m.
- Registration Fee: $10 per well to be tested. Containers to collect water samples will be provided. The containers provided are the only containers in which water samples are to be collected and submitted.
- Water samples must be turned in to the County Extension Office 8 a.m. – 10 a.m. on Monday, April 18, 2016.
- Instructions on how to take the sample correctly must be followed so that the results will be accurate.
- Water samples must be taken within 24 hours of the time they are submitted to the County Extension Office.
Test results will be provided to each well owner at a meeting to explain what the result mean. The meeting will be held at the Texas A&M Research and Extension Center in Weslaco on Tuesday, April 19, at 6:30 p.m.
Register and submit samples at these locations:
Hidalgo County Extension Office, 410 North 13th Avenue, Edinburg
Cameron County Extension Office, 1390 West Expressway 77, San Benito
Willacy County Extension Office, 170 North 3rd Street, Raymondville
For more information for each screening call the appropriate County Extension Office: Hidalgo County 956-383-1026, Cameron County 956-361-8236 and Willacy County 956-689-2412.
Water Well Sample Form will be provided at time of registration and must be submitted with water sample.
“Private water wells should be tested annually,” said John W. Smith, AgriLife Extension program specialist, College Station. Samples will be screened for common contaminants, including total coliform bacteria, E. coli, nitrate-nitrogen and salinity.
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 nitrate-nitrogen at levels of 10 parts per million is considered unsafe for human consumption. 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.
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 non-point source funding from the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.