Groundwater in Bee County contains arsenic, chloride, nitrate, fluoride, iron, manganese, and sulfate. Several of these contaminants exceed EPA health standards, so well owners should test their water and know their results.
These contaminants come from a mix of sources. Saltwater seeps into the coastal groundwater naturally because the county sits near the Gulf of Mexico and below sea level in places. Nitrate enters from fertilizer and septic systems in agricultural and residential areas. Arsenic occurs naturally in the rock layers here. Iron and manganese dissolve from the sediment as water moves through it.
Groundwater in Bee County is very hard, with high sodium and moderate sulfate adding to the mineral load. The coastal lowland rocks here contain layers of clay, sand, and silt that hold dissolved minerals from ancient seawater and ongoing saltwater intrusion from the Gulf. These characteristics are widespread across wells in the county because they reflect the fundamental geology and location of the groundwater system.
Wells in Bee County commonly have arsenic, fluoride, nitrate, and manganese at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Arsenic exposure over time can increase cancer risk and cause skin problems. Fluoride at high levels can damage teeth and bones. Nitrate is especially harmful to infants and can interfere with how blood carries oxygen. Manganese at elevated levels can affect the brain and nervous system development in children.
The very hard water in county wells creates noticeable quality-of-life issues. You will see white scale buildup on faucets and showerheads, and soap won't lather well. Hard water can shorten the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers. Iron and sulfate in the water can cause reddish or brownish staining on fixtures and laundry. High sodium levels may affect the taste of your water.
We recommend testing your well water with a comprehensive panel since multiple analytes exceed health standards in this county. Every well is different, and your water could have higher or lower levels than what is common here. 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 typically costs between two hundred and four hundred dollars. Water softeners, reverse osmosis systems, or whole-house filters can address different concerns depending on your test results.
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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chloride | 232 | 54% | High | High | |
| Arsenic | 48 | 35% | Moderate | High | |
| Nitrate | 128 | 24% | High | High | |
| Iron | 53 | 15% | Moderate | High | |
| Manganese | 51 | 10% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Sulfate | 185 | 3% | High |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Fluoride | 412 | 0% | High | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 7 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Lead | 48 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 7 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 7 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 7 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 7 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Uranium | 9 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 183 | — | High | Low | |
| pH | 105 | — | High | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 7 | — | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 183 | — | High | 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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