Worried about contaminated water in your well? Texas A&M will help test it for free

Sgt. Destry Riggs scans flooded areas during a search and rescue operation run by the 36th Combat Aviation Brigade of the Texas Army national Guard over areas hit by Tropical Storm Harvey on Friday, Sept. 1, 2017, north of Beaumont, Texas. Rural residents in flood areas should have their water wells tested before drinking the water, according to Texas A&M. less Sgt. Destry Riggs scans flooded areas during a search and rescue operation run by the 36th Combat Aviation Brigade of the Texas Army national Guard over areas hit by Tropical Storm Harvey on Friday, Sept. 1, ... more Photo: Brett Coomer, Houston Chronicle Photo: Brett Coomer, Houston Chronicle Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Worried about contaminated water in your well? Texas A&M will help test it for free 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

Texans who own private water wells in areas flooded by Hurricane Harvey now can have their water tested for contamination -- and they don't have to pay a penny.

This free testing is available through Texas A&M University's AgriLife Extension Service with help from Virginia Tech and the Rural Community Assistance Program.

To get their water tested, residents must pick up a test kit from their local AgriLife Extension office or other designated location. They need to return the sample to the office from 8 to 11 a.m. on the appropriate collection date.

Virginia Tech then will examine the sample for coliform bacteria.

Diane Boellstorff, an AgriLife Extension water resource specialist, said in a news release that all residents should assume their well water is contaminated. They should not use water from a flood well for cooking, bathing or drinking until it is tested for contaminants, she added.

Boellstorff, who is in Texas A&M University's soil and crop sciences department, said floodwater could contain sewage from flooded wastewater treatment plants as well as manure, among other things.

"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.

Officials began handing out sample kits last week. The kits come with instructions and will be handed out on a first-come, first-served basis because supplies are limited.

More Information Pick up your free well testing kit Residents in areas flooded by Hurricane Harvey may get free testing of the water wells through the Texas A&M Agri-Life Extension Service. Here are the locations where you can pick up the free kit. Jefferson County: AgriLife Extension office, 1225 Pearl St., Suite 200, Beaumont. Kits available now. Collection date is Sept. 25.

Victoria County: AgriLife Extension office, 528 Waco Circle, Victoria. Kits available now. Collection date Sept. 21.

Hardin and Orange counties: AgriLife Extension office, 440 W. Monroe St., Kountze. Kits available now. Collection date is Sept. 27.

Wharton County: AgriLife Extension office, 315 E. Milam St., Suite 212, Wharton. Kits available now. Collection date Sept. 18.

Liberty County: Kits available at the AgriLife Extension office, 501 Palmer Ave. in Liberty, on Sept. 18-19. Collection at the AgriLife Extension office on Sept. 20.

Colorado County: AgriLife Extension office, 316 Spring St., Columbus. Kits available now. Collection date is Sept. 21.

Chambers County: AgriLife Extension office, 295 White Memorial Park Road, Anahuac. Kits available starting Sept. 20. Collection date is Sept 27.

Here are the Agri-Life Extension locations where you can pick up the free kit.

*Jefferson County, 1225 Pearl St., Suite 200, Beaumont. Kits available now. Collection date is Sept. 25.

*Victoria County, 528 Waco Circle, Victoria. Kits available now. Collection date is Sept. 21.

*Hardin and Orange counties, 440 W. Monroe St., Kountze. Kits available now. Collection on is Sept. 27.

*Wharton County, 315 E. Milam St., Suite 212, Wharton. Kits available now. Collection on Sept. 18.

*Liberty County, 501 Palmer Ave. in Liberty, available Tuesday. Collection on Sept. 20.

*Colorado County: 316 Spring St., Columbus. Kits available now. Collection date is Sept. 21.

*Chambers County: 295 White Memorial Park Road, Anahuac. Kits available starting Sept. 20. Collection is Sept 27.

Alex Stuckey covers science and the environment for the Houston Chronicle. You can reach her at alexandra.stuckey@chron.com or Twitter.com/AlexDStuckey.