Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and Texas Well Owner Network will be offering water well testing for E coli and coliform bacteria.
To view the press release, please visit: AgriLife Extension offers private water well screening in flooded counties – AgriLife Today
The information below was taken directly from the AgriLife press release.
Burnet County: Samples should be submitted at the AgriLife Extension office for Burnet County, 607 N. Vandeveer St., Burnet, on July 10 from 8:30 am to 10:00 am.
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.