Farm and Ranch
Private water well screenings set for North Texas on May 6-7
By Leslie Lee, Texas A&M
May 4, 2025
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Residents of Bowie, Cass and Red River counties are invited to screenings, results meetings

The Texas Well Owner Network, TWON, will host water screenings in North Texas on May 6-7 for residents and well owners in Bowie, Cass and Red River counties.

Water samples will be screened for contaminants, including total coliform bacteria, E. coli, nitrate-nitrogen and salinity.

“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,” said Joel Pigg, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service program specialist and TWON coordinator, Department of Soil and Crop Sciences, Bryan-College Station.

The program will allow well owners to learn more about improving and protecting their community water resources.

The Texas Well Owner Network will host water screenings in North Texas on May 6-7 for residents and well owners in Bowie, Cass and Red River counties. (Michael Miller/Texas A&M AgriLife)

Water sampling and meeting information

Area residents can drop off water samples from 8:30-10 a.m. on May 6 at the following locations:

Bowie County: AgriLife Extension office, 710 James Bowie Drive, New Boston.

Cass County: AgriLife Extension office, 1008 N. Louise St., Atlanta.

Red River County: AgriLife Extension office, 402 N. Cedar St., Clarksville.

On May 7, the follow-up “Well Informed” meeting will explain the water sample results for the water screening. The meeting will be held at the Central Jury Room, 2nd floor, Bowie County Courthouse, 710 James Bowie Drive, New Boston beginning at 10 a.m.

Sampling instructions

Residents who want to have their well water tested should pick up a sample bag, bottle and instructions from the local AgriLife Extension office before the event. Each sample costs $15, and residents may submit multiple samples.

“It is essential to use the official sample bags and bottles and follow all instructions to ensure accurate results,” Pigg said. 

Well owners should test their water and attend the follow-up meeting to receive results, learn about corrective actions and improve their knowledge of private well management, Pigg said.

The screenings are presented by AgriLife Extension and the Texas Water Resources Institute, TWRI, in partnership with the AgriLife Extension offices in Bowie, Red River and Cass counties.

Funding for TWON is through a Clean Water Act Section 319(h) nonpoint source grant provided by the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

For more information, visit twon.tamu.edu, or contact Pigg at 979-321-5946 or j-pigg@tamu.edu.
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