Well Water in Cameron County: What to Test and Why

Groundwater in Cameron County contains manganese, iron, and sulfate at levels that exceed EPA health standards. These contaminants are concerning and warrant attention from well owners.

The rock beneath Cameron County naturally contains these minerals. As groundwater moves slowly through the fractured coal-bearing stone, water with low oxygen dissolves iron and manganese from the surrounding rock. Sulfate forms when water contacts minerals in the stone that contain sulfur.

Groundwater in this county is soft, but it carries moderate iron as the primary aesthetic concern. Iron dissolves from the surrounding rock as water sits in the deep aquifer over time. Wells across Cameron County commonly show elevated iron, and these characteristics are widespread among tested wells in the area.

Wells in Cameron County commonly exceed EPA health standards for iron, manganese, and sulfate. Iron and manganese can affect how your body absorbs and uses oxygen over many years of drinking exposure. Sulfate at elevated levels may cause digestive issues in some people, especially in children and those with certain health conditions.

Wells in this county show moderate iron levels that can stain sinks, toilets, and laundry orange-brown. You may notice a metallic or bitter taste in the water. The good news is that the water is relatively soft, so you won't see the thick scale buildup that hard water causes.

We recommend testing your well water to find out exactly what you have. Every well is different, and your well may have higher or lower levels than what's common in the county. A comprehensive metals and minerals panel typically costs between two hundred and four hundred dollars and is the only way to know what's actually in your water so it can be properly treated. Iron and sulfate filters can remove these contaminants.