In the wake of major flooding in Burnet, Lampasas, Llano and San Saba counties, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and the Texas Well Owner Network, TWON, will offer water well testing for E coli.

Flood waters left behind debris and sand, but could also have left bacteria in private water wells
Floodwaters left behind debris and sand, as well as potential bacterial contamination in rural private water wells. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and the Texas Well Owner Network will provide well water testing for residents in Llano, San Saba, Burnet and Lampasas counties July 9-10. (Blair Fannin/Texas A&M AgriLife)

Homeowners with water wells that have been submerged should assume their wells are contaminated and need testing.

The water will be screened for bacteria, including the presence of coliforms and E. coli, said John Smith, AgriLife Extension program specialist in the Texas A&M Department of Soil and Crop Sciences, Bryan-College Station.   

Water sampling and meeting information

Residents who need to test water from their private wells should turn in samples between 8:30-10 a.m. on the appropriate days at the following locations:

  • Llano and San Saba counties: Residents of both counties should submit samples at the AgriLife Extension office for Llano County, 1447 Texas Highway 71, Llano, on July 9.
  • Burnet County: Samples should be submitted at the AgriLife Extension office for Burnet County, 607 N. Vandeveer St., Burnet, on July 10.
  • Lampasas County: Samples should be submitted at the AgriLife Extension office in Lampasas County, 409 S. Pecan St., Suite 102, Lampasas, on July 10.

After all samples are incubated for 24 hours, the results meeting will be held on July 11 beginning at 3:30 p.m. at the AgriLife Extension office in Burnet County. It is essential for those submitting samples to attend the follow-up meeting to receive results, learn corrective measures for identified problems and improve their understanding of private well management.

Water sampling instructions

A water sample form must be filled out for each sample submitted. Follow the directions below for sample collection:

  • Pour the contents out of a new bottle of water, 12-20 ounces, and fill it with a water sample from your private water well.
  • Take the sample from the spigot/hose bib nearest to the wellhead. Remove the water hose if one is present and take the water directly from the spigot/hose bib.
  • If an inside faucet is used, remove the aerator on the faucet before making the collection. Rinse and dry the exterior of the faucet to prevent exterior contamination of the water sample.
  • If possible, wipe off with a Clorox-type towelette or paper towel wetted with a light bleach solution to kill any bacteria present on the faucet. Allow the cleaning solution to dry before sampling.
  • Turn on the water full force and let it run at full force for 2 minutes or until you hear the pump start running.
  • Reduce the water flow to a small stream, then take the sample. 

Refrigerate the sample and transport it to the workshop in an ice chest as soon after collection as possible, Smith said. It is best to collect the day it will be submitted. Otherwise, make sure the sample is kept cool and out of direct sunlight. The sample should be collected within 24 hours of submission to ensure accurate results.

“We encourage you to bring samples from all wells on your property,” Smith said. “Also, many participants who have water treatment equipment take samples before and after the treatment to make sure the equipment is functioning properly.”

He said each sample should be labeled with your name, and if you bring more than one sample, the label should indicate which well the sample came from. 

The Texas Well Owner Network has flood resources available regarding contaminated flooded wells and system testing. Resources are also available on disinfecting water well systems. For more information on the water screening, contact Smith at 979-204-0573 or john.smith@ag.tamu.edu.

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