Free water testing event scheduled for Benavides and Alice residents

For Benavides and Alice families already worried about salty taps, cloudier water or a change in taste, the free testing event offered a low-cost first check at a tense moment for Jim Wells County. The event was aimed at residents who rely on private wells, as well as households that wanted a better read on the water coming from their faucets.

The need for that kind of screening has grown as Orange Grove officials reported lower groundwater levels and declining water quality this spring in the city’s only source aquifer, the Evangeline/Goliad Sands Aquifer. Reported measurements showed the well level at about 152 feet below the surface in September and about 165 feet below the surface by March 30, 2026. The pressure on local water supplies has been strong enough that the Jim Wells County Commissioners Court adopted a local disaster declaration on April 24 in response to drought and declining groundwater quality.

State and federal guidance makes the value of a free test clear. The U.S. Geological Survey says some counties offer free well-water testing and advises private-well owners to use certified laboratories or local county and state health help when they need a check. Texas does not regulate the water quality of private wells, which means the responsibility for identifying and addressing problems falls on the well owner. The Texas Water Development Board says private-well sampling can look for major ions and trace minerals, but it will not catch bacteria or other introduced pathogens.

That distinction matters for families deciding whether a water problem is cosmetic, chemical or a possible health risk. A basic test can help spot issues tied to salinity, minerals and other common screening concerns, while follow-up testing may be needed for bacteria, arsenic, nitrate or other contaminants. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality directs residents to NELAP-accredited drinking-water laboratories and scanned well reports for next steps.

For Benavides, the event also connected to the Duval County Groundwater Conservation District, which serves the area and says its mission is to protect groundwater resources. In Alice, the Jim Wells County AgriLife Extension Service remains a local point of contact for water and land-use education. Together, those institutions reflect the larger reality now facing South Texas: water questions that once seemed routine have become part of daily decision-making for rural households.

If a home in Benavides or Alice shows contamination, the next step is not to guess. Private well owners need confirmatory testing through an accredited lab and should use county or state health guidance to decide whether the water needs treatment, repair or a deeper investigation into the source of the problem.