Groundwater in Anderson County contains iron, manganese, nitrate, arsenic, and lead. Several of these contaminants exceed EPA health standards and warrant attention from well owners.
These metals and nitrate come from the rock layers below and from human activity on the land above. Iron and manganese occur naturally as groundwater moves through the county's mixed rock and soil. Nitrate typically enters from fertilizers, septic systems, and animal waste that seep down into the water table. Arsenic and lead also derive partly from natural rock dissolution and partly from past industrial or agricultural use.
Groundwater in this county is soft but high in sodium, driven by natural minerals in the regional rock. The soft water reflects low calcium and magnesium, while sodium concentrations reflect the composition of the aquifer materials in the Texas coastal uplands. These mineral characteristics appear across wells throughout the county.
Wells in Anderson County show arsenic, iron, lead, manganese, and nitrate at levels above EPA health standards. Arsenic can cause skin problems and increase cancer risk with long-term exposure. Lead harms children's brain development and causes learning problems. Manganese affects the nervous system, especially in young children. Nitrate is dangerous for babies under six months and can cause serious blood oxygen problems.
County well water has high sodium levels that can affect people on restricted diets. Iron staining leaves rust-colored marks on sinks, toilets, and laundry. The water is soft, so you won't see heavy scale buildup, but iron and manganese can still create orange or brown discoloration over time.
Every well in this county is different, and your well could have higher or lower levels than what is common here. Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your water so you can treat it properly. We recommend a comprehensive metals and minerals panel, which costs between two hundred and four hundred dollars. Iron and manganese can be removed with oxidation filters, and arsenic and lead require specialized treatment systems.
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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iron | 378 | 24% | High | High | |
| Manganese | 174 | 10% | High | Moderate | |
| Nitrate | 32 | 3% | Moderate |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Lead | 124 | 2% | High | Low | |
| Arsenic | 125 | 1% | High | Low | |
| Chloride | 11 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| Fluoride | 459 | 0% | High | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 38 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Nitrite | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 38 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 38 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 38 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 38 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Radon | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 11 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| Uranium | 44 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 38 | — | Moderate | Safe | |
| Hardness | 11 | — | Low | Low | |
| Sodium | 11 | — | Low | Low | |
| pH | 11 | — | 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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