Groundwater in Houston County contains lead and arsenic at levels that exceed EPA health standards, along with chloride. These contaminants are present at concentrations high enough to warrant attention from well owners.
Lead and arsenic occur naturally in the deep rock layers beneath Houston County. As groundwater moves slowly through these rocks over many years, it dissolves these metals from the mineral structure of the stone and picks up chloride from ancient salt deposits in the bedrock.
Groundwater in this county is very hard, driven by elevated calcium and magnesium from the carbonate-rich rock below. The slow movement of water through limestone and other rock layers allows these minerals to accumulate in high concentrations. Very hard water is the dominant characteristic across wells in Houston County.
Wells in Houston County commonly contain arsenic and lead at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Arsenic can damage the kidneys and nervous system with long-term exposure. Lead is especially harmful to children because it can affect brain development and learning. Both metals build up in your body over time.
Wells in this county have very hard water, which means you will see white chalky scale on pipes, faucets, and shower heads. Hard water makes soap less effective and leaves spots on dishes and glasses. The hard water here can shorten the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers. You may also notice a metallic taste in the water.
We recommend testing your well water for arsenic, lead, and other metals, since every well is different and your water could have higher or lower levels than what is common in the county. Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your well so you can treat it properly. A comprehensive metals and minerals panel costs between two hundred and four hundred dollars. Treatment options like point-of-use filters and water softeners can address these concerns.
Not sure if your well is affected? Get certified results in 5–7 days.
Test Your Well Water with Tap Score →| Contaminant | Samples ⓘ | % Above MCL ⓘ | Distribution ⓘ | Confidence ⓘ | Risk ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 9 | 33% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Iron | 135 | 28% | High | High | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 10 | 20% | Low | High | |
| Manganese | 61 | 2% | Moderate | Low | |
| Arsenic | 121 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Chloride | 167 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Fluoride | 135 | 0% | High | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 2 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Lead | 121 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Nitrate | 76 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrite | 65 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 6 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Radon | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 136 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Uranium | 63 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Sodium | 133 | — | High | Low | |
| pH | 15 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 6 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 10 | — | Low | Low |
MCL = Maximum Contaminant Level (EPA limit for public water; used as benchmark for private wells). Distribution shows % of sampled wells in each concentration band. Methodology.
* Microbial contaminants (E. coli, coliform) reflect only samples from the last 10 years.
Data shows potential risk — a certified test confirms whether your water is affected.
Order a Tap Score Test →Population-level CDC data. Not individual risk prediction.
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