Source: AgriLife Today
The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and others are offering additional free water testing for private well owners in areas affected by floodwaters from Hurricane Harvey.
Dr. Diane Boellstorff, water resource specialist, College Station, said water from a flooded well should not be used for drinking, cooking, making ice, brushing teeth or even bathing until tested.
Boellstorff said floodwater might contain substances from upstream, such as manure, sewage from flooded septic systems or wastewater treatment plants or other contaminants. A septic system near a well also can cause contamination when the soil is flooded.
“Data from the well water testing will help us better understand a flood’s impact on private wells and help us enhance our communications relating to well water quality,” she said.
AgriLife Extension office addresses and dates for collection are:
- Chambers County, 295 White Memorial Park Drive, Anahuac. Collection date is Dec. 13.
- Hardin County 440 W. Monroe St., Kountze. Collection date is Dec. 13.
- Harris County, 9449 Grant Road, Houston. Collection date is Nov. 30.
- San Jacinto County, 11 Carrier Ave., Shepherd. Collection date is Dec. 13.
Any homeowner with a private domestic water well in the flood-affected area is eligible to have well water tested. The results are confidential and will be emailed or mailed to residents.
Boellstorff said instructions for decontaminating a well are available through the following publications free for download at http://twon.tamu.edu/fact-sheets/ — How to Disinfect a Private Well System and Shock Chlorination of Wells.
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