The Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation District has an answer – though not necessarily a very satisfying one – for Hays County residents wondering when they can stop boiling well water: “It depends.” During last weekend’s storms, the county issued a “boil water” notice to residents who rely on wells for drinking water. Boiling is recommended because flooding can wash contaminants into the groundwater system. The safety measure remains in effect until “further notice.” In the meantime, BSEACD cautions that well owners cannot always rely on a change in taste, smell or appearance to signal that a well has been contaminated. Instead, well owners eager to stop boiling water can determine the well’s safety by collecting water samples and having them tested in a lab for about $20. For more information, BSEACD recommends the following links:
- EPA: Private Drinking Water Wells
- EPA: What to Do After the Flood
- Texas Well Owner Network: Solving Water Quality Problems in the Home
- Texas Well Owner Network: Fact Sheets
- Hays County: Emergency Information