Private water well screenings set in Midland and Odessa on April 22-23
The Texas Well Owner Network, TWON, is hosting upcoming events in Odessa and Midland on April 22-23 to allow residents to have their well water screened.
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service program specialist Joel Pigg, BryanCollege Station, said the Texas Well Owner Network program is for Texas residents who depend on household wells for their water needs.
“The TWON program was established to help well owners become familiar with Texas groundwater resources, septic system maintenance, well maintenance and construction, and water quality and treatment,” he said. “It allows them to learn more about how to improve and protect their community water resources.”
Samples will be screened for contaminants, including total coliform bacteria, E. coli, nitrate-nitrogen, arsenic and salinity.
Sampling and meeting information
Pigg said area residents wanting to have their well water screened should pick up a sample bag, bottle and instructions from the local AgriLife Extension office before the date of the event. There will be a $15 per sample charge for the screening, and participants can bring as many bottles as they need.
“It is very important that only sampling bags and bottles be used, and all instructions for proper sampling are followed to ensure accurate results,” he said. Private water wells should be tested annually, he said.
Pigg said it is essential for those submitting samples to be at the appropriate followup meeting to receive results, learn corrective measures for identified problems and improve their understanding of private well management. Ector County:
Samples can be dropped off from 8:30-10 a.m. April 22 at the AgriLife Extension office in Ector County, 1010 E. 8th St., Room 102, in Odessa.
The follow-up meeting to explain the results of the screenings will be April 23 from 10-11 a.m. in room 104. Midland County:
Samples can be dropped off from 8:30-10 a.m. April 22 at the AgriLife Extension office in Midland County, 2445 E. Highway 80, in Midland.
The follow-up meeting to explain the results of the screenings will be on April 23 from 2-3 p.m.
Well water contaminant concerns
Pigg 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 nitratenitrogen in well water is also a concern, and water with nitrate-nitrogen at levels of 10 parts per million is considered unsafe for human consumption, he said.
“These 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,” Pigg said. “Infants less than 6 months of age are most susceptible to this.”
Salinity, as measured by total dissolved solids, will also be determined for each sample, he said.
Water with high salinity levels may leave deposits and have a salty taste. Using water with high levels for irrigation may damage soil or plants.
To learn more about the programs offered through the network or to find additional publications and resources, visit twon.tamu. edu. For more information on the screening, contact Pigg at 979-321-5946 or j-pigg@tamu.edu.
The screenings are presented by AgriLife Extension and the Texas Water Resources Institute, TWRI, in partnership with the AgriLife Extension offices in Midland and Ector counties.
Livestock Guardian Dog Field Day is set for April 26 in San Angelo Ph.D., AgriLife Extension sheep and goat specialist, San Angelo. “This event will focus on how producers can reduce those losses.”
“This field day is part of the center’s ongoing effort to help producers adopt the age-old practice of keeping specially bred and trained dogs with livestock as a deterrent to predation,” said Bill Costanzo, AgriLife Extension LGD specialist, Washington.
Field topics and speakers Canine behavior – Monique Udell, Ph.D., Human-Animal Interaction Laboratory director, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon.
Canine health and care – Robert Rose, DVM, Comparative Medicine Program executive director, Texas A&M University, BryanCollege Station.
Technology to aid in LGD management – Costanzo.
Texas Livestock Guardian Dog Association: Information and updates – Walter Pfluger, Texas LGD association treasurer, San Angelo.
Sheep and Goat Predator Management Board update.
The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service’s spring Livestock Guardian Dog Field Day will be held on April 26 in San Angelo from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Livestock Guardian Dogs, LGD, are utilized to protect livestock from predation.
The event will be at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center at San Angelo, 7887 U.S. Highway 87 North. Morning refreshments and lunch will be provided.
Advance registration is required through the center by calling 325-653-4576 or by visiting the website https://tx.ag/ LGDFieldDay.
Registration is $25 for an individual or $40 for a couple if registered before April 19. After that date, the cost is $30 and $50, respectively.
Two of the event highlights will be a local ranch tour and a producer panel. Vendors and LGD breeders will be on-site for producers.
Predation prevention
“The biggest single loss in sheep and goat production is predation,” said Jake Thorne,