Free Water Testing and Well Owner Workshop Coming February 2 & 3

Private well owners in Bastrop and Lee Counties are invited to participate in a Texas Well Owners Network (TWON) Water Testing and Workshop event hosted by the Lost Pines Groundwater Conservation District in collaboration with Lee County AgriLife Extension, Bastrop County AgriLife Extension, and the Middle Yegua Creek Watershed Protection Working Group.

This two-day event offers free well water quality testing followed by educational workshops designed to help private well owners better understand their wells and protect their groundwater.

On Monday, February 2, 2026, well owners may drop off water samples between 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. at either the Bastrop County AgriLife Extension Office or the Lee County AgriLife Extension Office. Submitted samples will be analyzed for common water quality indicators, giving participants valuable insight into the condition of their well water

Educational TWON workshops will be held on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, with two opportunities to attend:

• 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Bastrop County AgriLife Extension
• 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Lee County AgriLife Extension

During the workshops, participants will learn how to interpret their water test results, understand common groundwater and well issues in the region, and explore best practices for well maintenance and water protection.

Whether you have relied on a private well for decades or are a new well owner, this event offers practical information you can use right away to protect your health and your water supply.

Event Locations

• Bastrop County AgriLife Extension: 15 American Legion Dr., Suite 109, Bastrop
• Lee County AgriLife Extension: 310 S. Grimes St., Giddings

Who Should Attend:  Private well owners in Bastrop and Lee Counties

Cost: FREE

For more information contact Claire Marks, cmarks@lostpineswater.org or (512) 360-5088.

LPGCD Recognizes Local High School Seniors For Outstanding Essays On Water

The Lost Pines Groundwater Conservation District (LPGCD) is proud to announce the winners of its High School Senior Essay Contest. This year, LPGCD invited high school seniors who live or go to school in Bastrop or Lee County to write an essay that shares their personal water story, or imagines future worlds shaped by water conservation, or explores how their communities can adapt to challenges like drought and growth. This year’s submission reflected strong writing, creativity, and moving personal connections to water and community.

The winners were honored at our December 17 board meeting at 3:30 PM at our district office. The 2025 Essay Contest winners are:

• 1st Place: Teal Brockenbush, Lexington High School

           Essay Title: The Rain that Raised Me

           Award: $500

• 2nd Place: Erick Bandala, Elgin High School

           Essay Title: The Old Pipe

           Award: $300

• 3rd Place: Sharron Adair, Giddings High School

           Essay Title: More Than a Memory: What Water Means to Me

           Award: $200

“We were very moved by the depth and sincerity of this year’s essays,” said Sheril Smith, Chair of the LPGCD Education Committee. “These students shared powerful personal reflections while also demonstrating a clear understanding of how water shapes the strength, resilience, and future of their communities.”

How Much Water We Really Use and Why It Matters

A new year is the perfect time to take a fresh look at the things we use every day without thinking. Water is at the top of that list. Whether at home, at work, or out in the community, water moves through our lives constantly. Yet most people are shocked when they learn how much they actually use.

Here is something to think about. The average American uses 82 gallons of water per day, but in Bastrop and Lee Counties the average is 125 gallons. That is 56 percent higher than the national average. Most families also use about 70 percent of their water indoors and 30 percent outdoors. When you add those two facts together, it becomes clear how quickly daily habits add up in a region that depends almost entirely on groundwater.

Nearly 100 percent of the drinking water in Bastrop and Lee Counties comes from groundwater. Our aquifers recharge slowly, and while they are out of sight, they should never be out of mind. Every gallon we save helps protect the long-term health of our shared water resources.

The good news is that meaningful conservation starts with simple steps. Fourteen percent of household water use comes from leaks. Fixing a dripping faucet, repairing a running toilet, or checking outdoor hoses for slow leaks is one of the easiest ways to save both water and money. Turning off the tap while brushing your teeth, running full laundry loads, adjusting sprinkler schedules, and choosing native plants for landscaping also make a big difference. Starting small beats doing nothing at all, and everyday decisions add up across thousands of homes.

If you want to learn more about your personal water footprint, visit www.watercalculator.org. You can also find easy conservation tips at www.lostpineswater.org. When we understand how much water we use and where it comes from, we are better equipped to protect it.