UPDATE:
Water well testing is being offered to Texans impacted by floods, thanks to the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and the Texas Well Owner Network.
John Smith, Extension Program Specialist III, said this service is crucial in helping residents after floods determine if their water has been contaminated with E. coli and several other bacteria.
"So if water went over the wellhead, there there's a good chance there there may be E. coli in that well, which would mean we have other feces-borne problems as well," Smith said.
Smith said they've helped respond and help residents in the aftermath of the Burnet Flood in 2006, did approximately 1,500 samples in response to Hurricane Harvey, and in Llano in 2018.
"We're fortunate to get to work for and with the greatest people in the world, they're called Texans, and we want to come alongside and try to help out where we can," Smith said.
This sampling is available for anyone who is on private well water. All they ask is that you bring between 12 to 20 ounces of water sample in a new, sterile water bottle to any of the drop off locations on Thursday. Test results will be available 24 hours later on Friday.
You can read more on the protocol and locations here.
ORIGINAL:
When floods hit, water wells can become submerged and contaminated. Testing is needed to screen for bacteria, like coliforms and E. coli.
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and the Texas Well Owner Network, TWON, will offer water well testing in several Central Texas counties.
Sampling is offered July 9-10 in Burnet, Lampasas, Llano and San Saba counties.
Read more about the sampling requirements here.
