Groundwater in Comanche County contains nitrate, iron, and manganese at levels high enough to exceed EPA health standards. These contaminants are present in amounts that well owners should address, though the iron level measured is moderate.
These contaminants come from different sources in the rock and soil. Nitrate usually enters groundwater from fertilizers and septic systems in the area. Iron and manganese occur naturally when water passes through certain rock layers that contain these metals, especially in areas with lower oxygen in the groundwater.
Groundwater in this county is notably high in iron and manganese from the local rock. Water moving through the underlying rocks dissolves these metals and carries them into wells. Most wells in the county show these mineral characteristics to some degree.
Wells in Comanche County commonly have iron, manganese, and nitrate at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Iron and manganese at high levels can cause problems with how your body absorbs other nutrients and can affect your nervous system, especially in children and babies. Nitrate is a concern because it can interfere with how blood carries oxygen through your body, and this risk is highest for infants and pregnant women.
Iron in county well water leaves brown or reddish stains on sinks, toilets, and laundry that are hard to remove. Manganese causes similar dark staining and can give water a metallic taste. Both minerals can clog pipes and reduce water flow over time. These stains and buildup are frustrating to clean and can make your home feel less clean even when it is.
We recommend testing your well water to find out what you actually have. Every well in the county is different, and your water could have higher or lower levels than what is common here. Testing is the only way to know what needs to be treated in your specific well. A comprehensive metals and minerals panel usually costs between two hundred and four hundred dollars and will tell you exactly what you are dealing with. Treatment options like iron filters or water softeners can help remove these minerals from your water.
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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nitrate | 31 | 19% | Moderate | High | |
| Iron | 145 | 6% | High | Moderate | |
| Manganese | 131 | 5% | High |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Arsenic | 119 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Fluoride | 492 | 0% | High | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 3 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Lead | 119 | 0% | High | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 3 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 3 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 3 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 3 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Uranium | 35 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 3 | — | 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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