Las preguntas frecuentes son una excelente manera de ayudar a los visitantes del sitio a encontrar respuestas rápidas a preguntas comunes sobre su negocio y crear una mejor experiencia de navegación.

Las preguntas frecuentes son una excelente manera de ayudar a los visitantes del sitio a encontrar respuestas rápidas a preguntas comunes sobre su negocio y crear una mejor experiencia de navegación.

Las preguntas frecuentes son una excelente manera de ayudar a los visitantes del sitio a encontrar respuestas rápidas a preguntas comunes sobre su negocio y crear una mejor experiencia de navegación.

What is evapotranspiration and why is it important to groundwater users? Evapotranspiration (ET) measures the amount of water needed to grow plants and crops. Different plants have different water requirements. This means they have different ET rates. When water users like farmers and homeowners use evapotranspiration data to understand the true water requirements of their plants, they may be able to reduce their water use. This information is useful for homeowners and businesses that water landscapes and can be especially impactful for farmers that use groundwater to irrigate their crops. What is reference evapotranspiration (ETO)? The term reference evapotranspiration (ETO) is the water requirements of a cool season grass growing four inches tall under well-watered conditions. ETO is used along with crop coefficients and plant factors to determine the actual water requirements (or ET) of crops and plants. ETO depends on the climate and varies from location to location. The climatic data used in calculating ET includes: temperature, dew point temperature (relative humidity), wind speed solar radiation What is an ET Network? An ET Network is a collection of weather stations that use special sensors and methodologies to calculate ET and provide watering recommendations to end users. While there are many existing weather station networks, not all meet the criteria for ETO data collection. For example, the National Weather Service stations do not have solar radiation sensors and cannot be used to directly determine ET. Another factor that is important for data collection is the location of the stations. ET stations are sited in large open grassy areas, receive full sun, and the wind is not blocked by trees or buildings. How does an ET Network operate? Special weather stations (see Figure 1) measure the parameters needed for the calculation of reference evapotranspiration (ETO). The network calculates ETO which is used to determine plant water requirements and irrigation needs. The network disseminates plant water requirements and irrigation needs to end users through online access, online tools, emails, push notifications, and other methods. Figure 1: ET Weather Station What is the TexasET Network? The TexasET Network is the only network in Texas that meets all the ET Network criteria listed above. This network began in 1994 and consists of 88 weather stations statewide. Currently, TexasET is incorporating data from 26 stations of the Texas Water Development Board’s (TWDB) TexMesonet that meet ET station sensor and siting requirements. Additional TexMesonet stations are being evaluated for future incorporation into TexasET. Funding for the TexasET Network comes from short courses, contracts, grants, and fees. Much of the funding for the weather stations depend on local sponsors. Sustainable funding is necessary to continue TexasET Network. The TexasET Network website displays daily weather and ETO data, heat units, and other data. It also offers interactive, easy-to-use calculators that allow users to determine the irrigation water requirements of crops and landscapes. Users can download data directly from the website or set up automatic email notifications of customized weather data and irrigation recommendations. What is WaterMyYard and how does it relate to the TexasET Network? The WaterMyYard (WMY) program uses stations in the TexasET Network to calculate ET data and delivers watering recommendations to residents of 11 participating cities, water districts, and public utilities. The program focuses on home landscapes of warm season grasses such as St. Augustine, Bermuda, Zoysia, and Buffalo. Users can receive weekly texts, emails, and push notifications with recommendations for irrigation system runtimes, along with any applicable information on local watering restrictions. The Irrigation Technology Program of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service partnered with the North Texas Water Municipal Water District and piloted WMY in 2013. This program received the Blue Legacy Award for responsible management of water resources in 2015 and released Android and iOS apps in 2020. With little understanding of ET, residents in sponsored areas can set up a personal profile and configure their yard and notification preferences. Users are encouraged to use “catch can” tests to determine precipitation rates, or they can select their precipitation rate based on their equipment and spacing. With continued support and growing interest from new partners of the WaterMyYard program, the TexasET Network has added 44 stations to its ET network to provide accurate data for the urban areas participating in WaterMyYard. Are there any discontinued ET Networks in Texas? At one time, Texas had five ET networks operating in different regions of the State. Due to funding issues only one ET Network remains. Discontinued networks were programs of Texas A&M AgriLife Research. In 1994, the North High Plains Potential Evapotranspiration (PET) Network launched. The South High Plains PET Network launched a few years later. These two networks were merged to form the Texas High Plains PET Network. This network ceased operation in 2013. In 2000, the Crop Weather Program for South Texas launched. This program focused on the Coastal Bend region and aimed to provide data for use by cotton farmers. This network ceased operation in 2017. There are also two smaller regional ET networks that are no longer are in operation. These are the Precision Irrigators Network from Uvalde and the South Texas Weather Network from Weslaco. Are there any other related weather station networks? There are two ET related weather station networks in Texas. While these do not meet the definition of an ET Network, some of their stations contain all the required sensors and are sited properly for determination of ETo. The West Texas Mesonet (WTM) project provides free real-time data for residents of the South Plains region of western Texas. Established in 1999, the network covers 54 counties in Texas and New Mexico with 77 surface meteorological weather stations. The WTM posts daily ETO values. However, it is not considered an ET network because it does not have a notification program or tools for determining irrigation requirements and not all stations are in sited properly for ET determination. In 2016 the Texas Water Development Board launched the TexMesonet. TexMesonet is unique because it consists of its own weather stations and serves as a “network of networks.” This means that TexMesonet includes its own data as well as data from other stations and networks. There are currently 85 TWDB-maintained rural area stations in the Network. Many of these stations measure all of the parameters needed for calculation of ETO and are sited properly for ET determination. The TexMesonet does not offer a notification program or tools for determining irrigation requirements for end users. Where can I get more information? For maps, publications, and additional information, go to: TexasET Network, http://TexasET.tamu.edu; WaterMyYard, http://watermyyard.org/; West Texas Mesonet Project, http://www.mesonet.ttu.edu/. TexMesonet, https://www.texmesonet.org/ For additional Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) related to groundwater quantity, groundwater quality, septic systems, water wells, administrative entities, and publications, visit the Texas Groundwater Protection Committee’s FAQ webpage at https://tgpc.texas.gov/frequently-asked-questions-faqs/.

http://www.twdb.texas.gov/conservation/BMPs/Ag/doc/4.1.pdf

Las preguntas frecuentes son una excelente manera de ayudar a los visitantes del sitio a encontrar respuestas rápidas a preguntas comunes sobre su negocio y crear una mejor experiencia de navegación.

Radionuclides are types of atoms that are radioactive. The most common radionuclides in drinking water are radium, radon, and uranium. Most of the naturally-occurring radionuclides emit alpha particles. In 1974, the United States Congress passed the Safe Drinking Water Act. This law requires the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to determine the safe levels of contaminants in U.S. drinking water. The EPA conducts research of drinking water to determine the level of a contaminant that is safe for a person to consume over a lifetime and that a water system can reasonably be required to remove from it, given present technology and resources. This safe level is called the maximum contaminant level (MCL). Some treatment technologies include reverse osmosis, ion exchange, and aeration. Radionuclides have been found in some Texas aquifers. The U.S. EPA has set the MCL of gross alpha radiation in drinking water at 15 picocuries per liter (pCi/L). Most of the groundwater in Texas with gross alpha radiation greater than the MCL is found in the Hickory Aquifer in Central Texas (Figure 1) and the Dockum Aquifer of West Texas (Figure 2). The Edwards-Trinity Plateau (Figure 3), Gulf Coast (Figure 4), and Ogallala (Figure 5) aquifers also have a significant number of wells with high levels of gross alpha radiation. Although contamination from human activity can be a source of radionuclides, most of the radionuclides found in Texas groundwater occur naturally within the aquifer’s geologic formation. References: Water for Texas 2007, Texas Water Development Board, pages 228 – 229, https://www.twdb.texas.gov/waterplanning/swp/2007/ Major and Minor Aquifers of Texas maps, https://www.twdb.texas.gov/mapping/maps.asp (under the “Natural Features” heading) Drinking Water Problems: Radionuclides, Texas AgriLife Extension Service, B-6192 (English), B-6192S (Spanish), https://agrilifebookstore.org/ Commonly Encountered Radionuclides, U.S. EPA, http://www.epa.gov/rpdweb00/radionuclides/index.html Safe Drinking Water Act, U.S. EPA, http://www.epa.gov/lawsregs/laws/sdwa.html For additional Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) related to groundwater quantity, groundwater quality, septic systems, water wells, administrative entities, and publications, visit the Texas Groundwater Protection Committee’s FAQ webpage at http://tgpc.state.tx.us/frequently-asked-questions-faqs/.

Texas Groundwater Protection Committee FAQs January 2024 https://tgpc.texas.gov/frequently-asked-questions-faqs/ How Do You Prevent Pesticide Contamination of Private Water Wells? Pesticides have been detected in groundwater in both urban and rural areas throughout the state where low levels of atrazine, diazinon, 2,4-D, and metolachlor are the most common pesticides found. In some areas greater concentrations have been detected, triggering further investigation. Monitoring for pesticides in groundwater can identify potential problem areas and allows state and federal agencies to efficiently focus limited resources. Statewide cooperative monitoring efforts for pesticides is ongoing, with most pesticide detections resulting in very low concentrations. However, only a limited number of pesticides are monitored due in part to budget limitations. Several issues concerning pesticides and groundwater became apparent because of these monitoring programs. Most sites where agricultural pesticides were detected in groundwater result from mixing and loading of pesticides in facilities located near water wells. Several of the investigated wells were old, corroding water wells that had been abandoned or improperly plugged or were located near such wells. Several detection sites were also associated with seasonal surface water features such as playa lakes and intermittent creeks. Along with the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service (AgriLife Extension), TCEQ provides education and outreach to agriculture producers and water well owners in the state. The legal system of the United States considers the product label a legal document. Improper use or misapplication of a pesticide can be punishable by fine or pesticide license revocation. In addition, some of the problems with pesticide application could be improved with better adherence to produce labeling County AgriLife Extension Agents, the Texas Department of Agriculture, or your pesticide distribution/sales representative have additional information on the proper use of pesticides. Well owners should check water wells on their property to ensure safe use of pesticides near the well. Avoiding or minimizing potential groundwater contamination can be prevented when well owners and pesticide applicators are aware of problems and ways in which pesticides can migrate into groundwater. How Can I Protect My Private Water Well? The most common ways to avoid contaminating a water well or groundwater include the following practices: Follow best management practices and the pesticide’s label instructions when locating a domestic water well near crop land or gardens. Locate pesticide storage, mixing, loading, and cleanup areas using the pesticide’s label instructions and best management practices guidance on the recommended distance from a water well. Build a secondary containment structure to prevent spills from draining into the well and wellhead area. All faucets used for this purpose should have a backflow preventer. · Avoid creating conduits that allow surface water to enter groundwater (i.e., do not locate trenches, burn pits, excavations, tailwater ponds, or septic systems near a water well). Read and understand the pesticide label for proper use. If you have questions, contact your county AgriLife Extension Agent or pesticide distribution/sales representative for clarification. Make sure that your water well is in good condition by checking and testing it regularly. Refer to the list of references below for information regarding well protection and the proper maintenance of water wells. Create a pesticide management program that includes the following information: The location of your water well(s) and any nearby underground conduit locations, surface drainage, or ponding areas. Your water well’s age, depth, diameter, screened interval, water table depth, pump information, etc. The location of any other nearby wells, especially any abandoned water wells, petroleum production wells, exploration wells, or disposal wells. Typical signs of wellhead or casing deterioration. Previous land use and the location of potential sources of contamination, both on your property and on adjacent properties. The location of crop or garden areas and other pesticide application areas. The soil type, underlying aquifer(s), and local topography (i.e., the lay of the land that would indicate the source and direction of runoff). Non-pesticide alternatives, such as hand weeding and beneficial insects. Contact information (names, phone numbers, and websites) related to pesticides, water wells, water quality, and the closest groundwater conservation district (for information regarding your aquifer characteristics and limitations). Proper pesticide use, best management practices, and knowledge of local water dynamics can help protect your drinking water and your family’s health, as well as safeguard the state’s groundwater resources. Your state and local agencies are working hard to protect the state’s water resources for the present and the future. With the help of informed, caring citizens, together we can protect, conserve, and ensure clean water for generations to come. Resources and Useful Links Texas State Management Plan for Prevention of Pesticide Contamination of Groundwater (TCEQ SFR-070/01), https://wayback.archive-it.org/414/20210904135754/https://www.tceq.texas.gov/assets/public/comm_exec/pubs/sfr/070_01.pdf Texas Department of Agriculture Pesticide Program, https://texasagriculture.gov/Regulatory-Programs/Pesticides TCEQ Pesticides and Groundwater, https://www.tceq.texas.gov/groundwater/groundwater-planning-assessment/pesticides.html Tex*A*Syst website, https://blackland.tamu.edu/decision-aids/texstarastarsyst/ Tex*A* Syst publications, especially B-6025, Tex*A*Syst: Reducing the Risk of Ground Water Contamination by Improving Pesticide Storage and Handling, https://blackland.tamu.edu/decision-aids/texstarastarsyst/reducing-contamination-by-improving-pesticide-storage-and-handling/ and, Tex*A*Syst publications, B-6024, Tex*A*Syst: Reducing the Risk of Ground Water Contamination by Improving Wellhead Management and Conditions, https://blackland.tamu.edu/decision-aids/texstarastarsyst/reducing-contamination-by-improving-wellhead-management-and-conditions/ U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Introduction to Integrated Pest Management, https://www.epa.gov/ipm/introduction-integrated-pest-management U.S. EPA Drinking Water and Pesticides, https://www.epa.gov/safepestcontrol/drinking-water-and-pesticides Other Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) To find additional FAQs visit the Texas Groundwater Protection Committee’s FAQ webpage at https://tgpc.texas.gov/frequently-asked-questions-faqs.