Preventing Contamination
Materials from many common facilities can contaminate a water well. Take steps to protect your well water from contamination sources. According to Texas law, the wellhead must be at least:
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50 feet from any septic tank, cistern, property boundary, and/or non-potable well.],
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100 feet from your septic drain field or any leach field,
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150 feet from any feed storage area, pesticide or fertilizer storage area, or shelter or yard for pets or livestock, and,
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250 feet from a manure stack or liquid waste disposal system.
Further Reading
Texas A&M Agrilife Extension: "Maintain Your Septic System to Protect Well Water"
Texas A&M Agrilife Extension: "Protect Your Water Well During Drought"
Texas A&M Agrilife Extension: "Well Owner's Guide to Water Supply"
National Ground Water Association: "Well Owner Maintenance Practices"
Plugging Abandoned Wells
Under Texas law, the landowners are responsible for plugging abandoned wells on their property and are liable for any groundwater contamination or injury that results from the wells.
Like other wells, an abandoned well is a direct channel from the ground surface to the aquifer below. Contaminants that enter the well move directly into the aquifer. If a concentrated chemical enters a well, it may move into the aquifer and threaten human health and the environment. It also puts other wells in the same aquifer at risk for contamination, particularly those on the same property or those close to the abandoned well.
Before you begin the process of plugging an abandoned well, a plugging application must be submitted to the Trinity Glen Rose District. You will need to hire a licensed water well driller or pump installer to seal and plug the abandoned well.
Major Flooding Can Contaminate Private Water Wells
Large flood events, which South Texas is prone to, can contaminate your private water well. However, disinfection can eliminate or reduce harmful bacteria, viruses, or other microorganisms that may be found in your drinking water after flooding in your area.
If your well system is damaged, the following instructions for the disinfection process will not work. An indication that your well is damaged can be a decrease in water pressure once turned on. Contact a certified well or pump contractor for examination.
It is extremely important not use contaminated water for: drinking, cooking, making ice, bathing in any form, washing clothes or dishes. After a flood, ingesting or being exposed to contaminated water can cause illness.
If you think your well system may be contaminated, some alternative options for safe include:
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using bottled water,
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boiling water for five minutes,
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using water from a source you know is not contaminated.
If your water well was subject to flooding, give the Trinity Glen Rose District a call for assistance in mitigating your flooded well (210-698-1155).
Here is and excellent article from the Groundwater Foundation. Groundwater Contamination Article
To learn how to disinfect a private water well, click on the red button below for instructions from Texas A&M Agrilife.