HOUSTON – Harris County Public Health & Environmental Services is offering free private well-water testing for people in flooded areas of unincorporated Harris County.
“The recent floods may have contaminated area water wells if the wellhead was covered with floodwaters. Owners of private water wells should chlorinate and test their water before drinking,” according to a news release from the agency.
“Our goal is to prevent diseases associated with contaminated drinking water from harming the health of our residents,” said Michael Schaffer, the group’s director.
People who worry their private water wells have been contaminated may pick up free sample bottles and instructions at the city of Houston Health Department lab at 2250 Holcombe Blvd., Houston, Texas, 77030, or one of the following HCPHES and precinct locations.
· Hockley Community Center, 28515 Old Washington Road, Hockley, Texas, 77447
· Antoine Health Center, 5815 Antoine Drive, Houston, Texas, 77091
· Baytown Health Center, 1000 Lee Drive, Baytown, Texas, 77520
· Humble Health Center, 1730 Humble Place Drive, Humble, Texas, 77338
· Mangum-Howell Center, 2500 Frick Road, Houston, Texas, 77038
Water samples need to be returned to the pickup locations within 30 hours after collection, Harris County Public Health and Environmental Services said.
Locations are open Monday through Friday, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.
The testing is free.
For more information on drinking water testing, contact the Environmental Public Health division of HCPHES at 713-274-6300 or visit http://bit.ly/1aJytwW.
If you have a tip about this story or another story idea for investigative reporter Jace Larson, email him jlarson@kprc.com or 832-493-3951.