Bosque County's groundwater contains iron, lead, fluoride, arsenic, and manganese. Several of these contaminants exceed EPA health standards, so well owners should test their water.
These contaminants come from the rock layers beneath the county. As water seeps through the different rock types here, it dissolves minerals and picks up elements like iron, arsenic, and fluoride naturally present in the stone. Lead can also enter from older pipes and plumbing in homes.
Groundwater in this county is soft overall, but it is high in sodium and contains moderate levels of iron. Sodium dissolves naturally as water moves through the local rock, while iron comes from minerals in the rock that dissolve into the water. These characteristics appear in many wells across the county.
Wells in Bosque County commonly contain arsenic, fluoride, lead, and manganese at levels above EPA health standards. Arsenic can damage your kidneys and increase cancer risk over time. Lead is especially harmful to children's brain development and learning. Fluoride at elevated levels can affect bone health. Manganese exposure has been linked to nervous system problems.
The county's water also contains high sodium, which can be a concern for people watching their salt intake or managing certain health conditions. You may notice a metallic taste in the water or staining on fixtures from iron and manganese. Because the water is relatively soft, scale buildup in pipes and appliances is not typically a major problem here.
We recommend testing your well water to find out what is actually present in your home. Your well may have higher or lower levels than what is common across the county, and testing is the only way to know. A comprehensive metals and minerals panel usually costs $200-400 and will tell you exactly what you are dealing with. Depending on the results, treatment options like reverse osmosis systems or specialized filters can address multiple contaminants.
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 | 262 | 16% | High | High | |
| Lead | 73 | 5% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Fluoride | 395 | 5% | High |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Arsenic | 69 | 1% | Moderate | Low | |
| Manganese | 211 | 1% | High | Low | |
| Chloride | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 12 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| Nitrate | 47 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrite | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 12 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 12 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 12 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 12 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| Radon | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Uranium | 15 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Total Coliform | 1* | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 1 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| pH | 1 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 12 | — | Low | Safe | |
| Hardness | 1 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| E. coli | 1* | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ |
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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