Whole watershed testing program set for Nov. 19-20 in Lampasas – AgriLife Today

Report on a Community Water Quality Initiative in Lampasas, Texas

Introduction and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

An initiative was conducted in Lampasas, Texas, on November 19-20 by the Lone Star Healthy Streams (LSHS) and the Texas Well Owner Network (TWON). This program provided free water well screening and educational training, directly contributing to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By focusing on the safety of private water sources and the health of the local watershed, the event primarily supports SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation). It also addresses SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) by mitigating health risks from contaminated water and SDG 15 (Life on Land) by protecting local freshwater ecosystems.

The event employed a comprehensive “whole-watershed” approach, integrating groundwater testing with surface water protection education, thereby strengthening community participation in water resource management as outlined in SDG Target 6.b.

Program Objectives and SDG Impact

The initiative was structured with two primary components, each targeting specific SDG-related outcomes:

• Texas Well Owner Network (TWON): This component focused on residents dependent on household wells, providing critical water quality screening. This directly advances SDG Target 6.1, which aims to achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all. By identifying potential contaminants, the program also supports SDG Target 3.9, which seeks to reduce illnesses from water pollution.
• Lone Star Healthy Streams (LSHS): This educational component aimed to increase awareness of surface water pollution from agricultural sources, such as livestock and feral hogs. This work is crucial for achieving SDG Target 6.3, which focuses on improving water quality by reducing pollution, and SDG Target 15.1, which calls for the conservation and sustainable use of inland freshwater ecosystems. The program promotes best management practices to achieve these goals.

Event Logistics and Schedule

• Sample Collection: November 19, from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service office, 409 S. Pecan St., Suite 102, Lampasas.
• Results and Education Meeting: November 20, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Grace Community Fellowship, 2974 U.S. Highway 281.

Educational Components and Professional Development

The education meeting on November 20 provided vital information to community members, reinforcing the objectives of SDG 6. The agenda included key topics on water resource management and offered three Texas Department of Agriculture continuing education units (two in integrated pest management and one general), fostering professional capacity for sustainable practices.

Protocols for Water Sample Collection

To ensure accurate results in support of SDG 6 monitoring, participants were instructed to follow a strict collection protocol:

1. Use a new 12-20-ounce bottle, emptied of its original contents, to collect the water sample from the private well.
2. Collect the sample directly from the spigot or hose bib located nearest to the wellhead.
3. If using an indoor faucet, remove the aerator. Rinse and dry the faucet’s exterior to prevent contamination. Disinfect the faucet with a bleach solution and allow it to dry before sampling.
4. Turn the water on at full force and let it run for at least two minutes or until the pump engages.
5. Reduce the water flow to a small stream before filling the sample bottle.
6. Collect the sample within 24 hours of the drop-off time, preferably on the same day.
7. Keep the sample cool, transporting it in an ice chest to the submission location.

Identified Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

  This is the primary SDG addressed in the article. The entire initiative, involving the Texas Well Owner Network (TWON) and Lone Star Healthy Streams (LSHS), is focused on water quality. The event provides “free water well screening,” “educational training on groundwater and surface water protection,” and aims to increase “awareness of surface water pollution.” This directly aligns with the goal of ensuring the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.

• SDG 15: Life on Land

  This goal is connected through the article’s focus on protecting freshwater ecosystems from land-based pollution sources. The LSHS program specifically targets “surface water pollution originating from livestock and feral hogs” and encourages the “implementation of proven best management practices.” This demonstrates an effort to protect and restore terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems, which is a key aspect of SDG 15.

Specific SDG Targets

• Target 6.1: Achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all.

  The article addresses this target by focusing on residents who “depend on a household well for their water needs.” By offering free water well screenings, the program helps these residents determine if their primary water source is safe for consumption, which is a critical step toward ensuring access to safe drinking water.

• Target 6.3: Improve water quality by reducing pollution.

  This target is directly supported by the LSHS component of the event, which “aims to increase awareness of surface water pollution originating from livestock and feral hogs.” The program’s goal to encourage the “implementation of proven best management practices” is a direct action aimed at reducing pollution and improving the quality of local water bodies.

• Target 6.b: Support and strengthen the participation of local communities in improving water and sanitation management.

  The event described is a community-focused initiative. It invites local residents to participate directly by bringing in water samples for testing (“Samples can be dropped off from 8:30-10:30 a.m.”). The educational meeting further empowers the community with knowledge on topics like groundwater, septic systems, and water treatment, strengthening their ability to manage their own water resources.

• Target 15.1: Ensure the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services.

  The effort to mitigate “surface water pollution originating from livestock and feral hogs” is a measure to conserve and protect inland freshwater ecosystems, such as the Lampasas River pictured in the article. By promoting best management practices, the program contributes to the sustainable use of land in a way that protects adjacent water bodies.

Implied Indicators for Measuring Progress

• Results of private water well screenings.

  The article states that the event includes a “free water well screening and results meeting.” The data collected from these screenings (e.g., the number of wells tested, the percentage of wells with contaminants) serves as a direct indicator of the safety of the drinking water supply for the community, which is used to measure progress towards Target 6.1.

• Adoption rate of best management practices.

  The article mentions that the LSHS program “encourages implementation of proven best management practices” to reduce pollution from livestock. An implied indicator of success for this initiative would be the rate at which local landowners and agricultural producers adopt these practices, which would measure progress towards reducing pollution as outlined in Target 6.3.

• Number of residents participating in water screening and educational workshops.

  The event is designed for community participation, with specific times for sample drop-offs and an educational meeting. The number of people who submit samples and attend the meeting is a clear indicator of community engagement and participation in water management, directly relating to Target 6.b.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis

Source: agrilifetoday.tamu.edu