Groundwater in Dallas County contains arsenic, fluoride, iron, manganese, and PFOA and PFOS, which are human-made chemicals. Several of these contaminants exceed EPA health standards and deserve your attention.
These contaminants come from a mix of sources. Iron and manganese occur naturally in the rock beneath the county. Arsenic also moves through certain rock layers. Fluoride enters some groundwater from natural sources and past industrial activity. PFOA and PFOS come from manufacturing facilities, landfills, and firefighting foam used at airports and military sites.
Groundwater in this county is not hard, but it is notably high in sodium and sulfate. These minerals dissolve easily from the rock and soil as water moves underground, and they accumulate because the geology here allows them to stay in solution. Most wells in Dallas County show elevated sodium and sulfate levels.
Wells in Dallas County have been found with arsenic, fluoride, iron, manganese, and PFOA and PFOS at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Arsenic can damage your kidneys and increase cancer risk with long-term exposure. Fluoride at high levels can cause dental and skeletal problems. Manganese affects your nervous system and brain development, especially in children. PFOA and PFOS are industrial chemicals that can harm your liver, thyroid, and immune system.
The high sodium levels in county wells can leave a salty taste in your drinking water and cooking water. Iron and manganese cause staining on fixtures, dishes, and laundry. You may notice orange or brown discoloration in your sinks and toilets. The water may smell or taste unpleasant. While the water hardness in this county is relatively low, the combination of these minerals can still affect your daily use.
We recommend a comprehensive water test to find out exactly what is in your well. Every well is different, and your water may have higher or lower levels than what is common in the county. Testing is the only way to know what needs treatment. A comprehensive panel usually costs between $200 and $400. Treatment options like reverse osmosis systems or activated carbon filters can remove many of these 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 | 415 | 17% | High | High | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 162 | 7% | High | Moderate | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 162 | 7% | High | Moderate | |
| Fluoride | 669 | 3% | High | Low | |
| Manganese | 324 | 2% | High | Low | |
| Arsenic | 81 | 1% | Moderate | Low | |
| Chloride | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 162 | 0% | High | Safe | |
| Lead | 81 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrate | 32 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrite | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 162 | 0% | High | Low | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 162 | 0% | High | 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 | 162 | — | High | Low | |
| 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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