The Texas County Health Department has an active well water testing program for private residences.
Most people are just interested in making sure it’s bacteriologically safe. There are people who are having issues with odor/color/taste and for those wells personnel can collect mineral/metal samples for analysis.
This provides necessary information when planning treatment technologies/devices. Last year the health department took 142 bacteria samples and sent into the state lab for analysis. Of those 80 samples (56 percent) were absent of any coliform or E. coli bacteria and were marked as satisfactory. The other 62 samples (44 percent) tested positive for surface bacteria groups of coliform and show the supply may be under the influence of surface waters. There were 11 samples (7 percent) that showed both coliform groups along with E. coli bacteria present and pose additional health risks/concerns.
Only an environmental public health specialist is able to send in these mineral samples for analysis. The bacteriological can be collected by private citizen and dropped back off at health department for transit to state lab.
Water samples collected by Texas County Health Department for analysis by state lab are free. These are scheduled when other inspections are performed in the general area. Exceptions being if water results needed for illness or suspected disease outbreaks, then sample collection request can be expedited. For private citizens wanting to collect their own samples, containers are available at this office. The state lab does require a $10 fee paid to them if sample submitted this way. Make sure to follow all instructions so that you get results.
If you have any issues or concerns, call Ronnie Gaston at 417-967-4131. The best time to call is from 8 to 9 a.m.
If you need water results for loans or property sales, start early in case you need to disinfect and retest.