Water Well Screening Offered to Residents
KINGSVILLE - Water quality and quantity (conservation) continues to be an important concern throughout the country. Municipalities are required to frequently test their water supply for impurities. Private water well owners have no requirements to evaluate their water source for contamination. Private water wells should be screened annually to determine if testing is required as well as remediation. The idea of water contamination continues to draw more concern among homeowners who consume their well water.
To assist residents, AgriLife Extension Office is collaborating with the Texas Well Owner Network (TWON) by offering a free water screening and educational seminar. According to Joel Pigg, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service program specialist and TWON coordinator, College Station, the Texas Well Owner Network program is for Texas residents who depend on household wells for their water needs.
Residents interested in screening their well water must submit their sample(s) on Monday, May 22nd between 8-10 AM to the Extension Office (729 E. Yoakum, Kingsville) or the Kenedy County Groundwater Conservation District (365 La Parra Blvd., Sarita). Please come by the Extension Office or Kenedy County GCD prior to May 22nd to pick up instructions and containers to collect the water samples. An educational seminar to explain the results will be offered on Wednesday, May 24th at 4:00 PM at the Extension Office.
The water screening process is designed to provide awareness to owners who consume their well water. Water samples submitted by residents will only be screened for the following contaminants: total coliform bacteria, E. coli, nitrate-nitrogen, arsenic, and salinity.
John Smith, AgriLife Extension program specialist, Bryan-College Station, 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, and water with nitrate-nitrogen at levels of 10 parts per million (ppm) is considered unsafe for human consumption, he said. “These nitrate levels above 10 ppm 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 and young livestock are most susceptible to this.” Lower milk production and loss of offspring have been reported in cattle and swine.
Long-term consumption of arsenic in water increases the risk of skin cancer and cancer in the liver, bladder and lungs. In addition, chronic exposure to arsenic may lead to gastrointestinal irritation and cardiovascular disease.
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. Using water with high levels for irrigation may damage soil or plants.
The program is sponsored by AgriLife Extension and Texas Water Resources Institute, TWRI, in partnership with the AgriLife Extension offices Duval County, Jim Wells County, Jim Hogg County, Brooks County, Zapata County, Starr County, Kenedy and Kleberg Counties, DeWitt County. Additional support provided by Duval County GCD, Starr County GCD, Pecan Valley GCD, Brush Country GCD and Kenedy County GCD.
Funding for TWON is through a Clean Water Act nonpoint source grant provided by the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The project is managed by TWRI, part of Texas A&M AgriLife Research, AgriLife Extension and the Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
For additional information, please contact the Kleberg-Kenedy County Extension Office (361) 595-8566.
