MIDLAND COUNTY, Texas — The Texas A&M Agrilife Extension Office in both Ector and Midland County have partnered with the Texas Well Owner Network to provide private well owners in the area with water screenings for $15.
On April 22, the offices in both locations will be screening the water. The sample kits are currently available in both offices and should be picked up prior to the event. Those samples must be returned that Monday between 8:30 a.m. and 10 a.m.
The well water samples will be screened for common contaminants including E. Coli, nitrates, arsenic and high salinity.
According to Brady Evans, the Texas A&M Agrilife Extension Agent in agriculture and natural resources, people should be testing their well water every year.
"If you have a well on your property, we are dealing with ever changing times and an ever changing environment and this is nothing new. But you never know what's happening around you all the time. So it's a good idea to make sure that you always know what's going on with your property. And that is a responsibility as a landowner as a well owner to make sure that you know what you're what you're facing," said Evans.
According to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, "Generally, private wells do not receive the same services that wells supplying the public do. Well owners are responsible for protecting their drinking water".
Results and interpretation meetings will be held at both offices on April 23. Individuals will be asked to pay with a check once the samples have been returned for screening.