Private water well testing slated in March for Lower Rio Grande Valley

Texas Well Water Testing Program

(AgriLife Extension photo by Brad Cowan)

Once again we are seeing state, county and local governments proactively encouraging well owners to have their well water tested. In this case, the entire cost of the testing is being picked up by the government using funds from the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. This program is being administered by the Texas Well Owner Network.

While this is good news for well owners in the areas where this program is being conducted, the testing is only for those contaminants that can affect people in the near term. These include fecal coliform bacteria, nitrates and salinity. 

We think well owners need to know a lot more about the quality of their well water. This means in addition to testing for the contaminants above, the water should be tested for metals and heavy metals, more inorganics and Volatile Organic Compounds. Some of these also have near-term health consequences if they are at a high-enough level, while others can have longer-term health consequences, like cancer.

At a minimum, we believe well owners should have a comprehensive water test periodically. If no contaminants are found at an unsafe level, then the type of test being offered by government sanctioned organizations such as the Texas Well Owner Network.

We offer a test that covers over 100 parameters including metals and heavy metals, more inorganics and Volatile Organic Compounds. If you’re interested in learning more about this test just click on this link, Bang-for-the-Buck’ Essential Indicators Water Test.

Read the complete news article at The Monitor.