Groundwater in Andrews County contains arsenic, fluoride, iron, manganese, and nitrate at levels that exceed EPA health standards. These contaminant levels are concerning enough that well owners should test their water and consider treatment options.
These contaminants come from the rock layers beneath Andrews County. Arsenic and fluoride occur naturally in the sandstone and shale of the High Plains aquifer. Iron and manganese also come from the minerals in these rock layers. Nitrate enters from agriculture and septic systems in the area.
Groundwater in Andrews County is very hard, driven by high amounts of calcium and magnesium dissolved from the rock below. Sodium and sulfate also concentrate in the water as it flows through the underground layers. These mineral characteristics are widespread across wells throughout the county.
Wells in Andrews County commonly have arsenic, fluoride, iron, manganese, and nitrate at levels above EPA health standards. Arsenic can damage the kidneys and nervous system with long-term exposure. Fluoride at elevated levels can affect bone health and tooth development in children. Nitrate is especially concerning for infants and can interfere with how blood carries oxygen. Manganese can harm the brain and nervous system over time.
The very hard water in county wells causes stubborn scale buildup on pipes and appliances, reducing water flow and shortening the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers. High sodium levels may affect the taste of drinking water and can be a concern for people on salt-restricted diets. Iron in the water creates rust-colored staining on sinks, toilets, and laundry that is difficult to remove. The combination of these minerals makes cleaning harder and can leave spots on dishes.
We recommend testing your well to find out exactly what is in your water, since every well is different and yours could have higher or lower levels than what is common in the county. A comprehensive panel checking for metals and minerals runs between two hundred and four hundred dollars and is the best way to know what needs treatment. Testing is the only way to understand your specific situation so you can choose the right filters or treatment system for your family's needs.
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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arsenic | 190 | 42% | High | High | |
| Fluoride | 352 | 27% | High | High | |
| Iron | 196 | 12% | High | Moderate | |
| Nitrate | 34 | 6% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Manganese | 192 | 2% | High | Low | |
| Chloride | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 2 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Lead | 190 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Nitrite | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 2 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 2 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 2 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 2 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Radon | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Uranium | 64 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| pH | 2 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 2 | — | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 1 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 1 | — | 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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