Boerne and Kendall County residents who rely on private water wells are invited to participate in a free water well screening and education event August 13-14, hosted by the City of Boerne, the Cow Creek Groundwater Conservation District, and the Kendall County AgriLife Extension office in partnership with the Texas Well Owner Network (TWON).
This program offers well owners an opportunity to screen their water for common contaminants and learn best practices for groundwater protection and private well maintenance.
“This is a great opportunity for our residents in southern Kendall County to better understand the quality of their water and learn about our surface water and groundwater interactions,” said Ryan Bass, environmental program manager for the City of Boerne. “Groundwater is one of our most vital natural resources in the Hill Country and helping people take care of their private wells is critical to protecting our shared water supply.”
Water samples can be dropped off on Wednesday, August 13, from 8:30 – 10:30 a.m. at either of the following locations:
- Kendall County AgriLife Extension Office, 118 Saunders Street in Boerne
- Cow Creek Groundwater Conservation District, 9 Toepperwein Road in Boerne
The follow-up education meeting and results review will take place on Thursday, August 14, from 1 – 5 p.m. at the Patrick Heath Public Library, 451 N. Main St. in Boerne. Refreshments will be provided, and the event is free and open to the public. To ensure adequate seating, participants are asked to RSVP by email to Joel Pigg by August 11.
Water samples will be screened for total coliform bacteria, E. coli, nitrate-nitrogen, and total dissolved solids (salinity). The screening fee is $15 per sample, and participants may submit multiple samples.
Pigg, a program specialist with the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, said the program is designed to empower private well owners to make informed decisions.
“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,” Pigg said.
Sample Collection Instructions
Please follow the steps below to collect your water samples.
- Use a clean, empty water bottle (12 – 20 oz.) and fill it with water from the outdoor spigot or hose bib nearest to the wellhead (remove the hose, if attached).
- If using an indoor faucet, remove the aerator before collecting the sample.
Clean the faucet with a bleach wipe or paper towel soaked in a diluted bleach solution and allow to dry before sampling. - Run water at full force for at least two minutes (or until the pump kicks on), then reduce flow to a small stream and collect the sample.
- Label the bottle with your name and the well location (if submitting more than one sample).
- Refrigerate the sample and transport it in an ice chest to the drop off location on August 13. Samples should be collected within 24 hours of drop off for the most accurate results.
Visit the Texas Well Owner Network website to learn more.