Groundwater in Dimmit County contains iron, manganese, chloride, arsenic, fluoride, nitrate, and sulfate that exceed EPA health standards. Several of these contaminants are at levels that demand attention from well owners.
These contaminants come from the rock and soil beneath the county. Iron and manganese naturally dissolve from the rock into groundwater in this area. Chloride, sulfate, and sodium accumulate because the local geology holds these minerals and allows them to concentrate in the water. Nitrate enters from agricultural activities and septic systems common across the region.
Groundwater in this county is hard, driven by elevated iron, sodium, and sulfate. The rock layers here naturally release these minerals as water moves through them, and the local conditions cause them to build up rather than wash away. Hard water with elevated sodium and sulfate is widespread across wells in Dimmit County.
Wells in Dimmit County commonly contain arsenic, chloride, fluoride, iron, manganese, nitrate, and sulfate at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Arsenic can damage your kidneys and increase cancer risk over time. Nitrate is dangerous for babies and can affect how blood carries oxygen. Fluoride, manganese, and iron at high levels can harm your brain and nervous system, especially in children. Chloride and sulfate at elevated levels can cause digestive problems.
Hard water in county wells leaves mineral stains on fixtures, dishes, and laundry. Scale builds up inside pipes and water heaters, shortening their lifespan and raising your energy bills. You may notice a metallic taste, cloudiness, or reddish staining from iron. High sodium in the water can taste salty and is a concern if you have high blood pressure.
We recommend testing your well water with a comprehensive metals and minerals panel, which costs between $200 and $400. Every well is different, and your water could have higher or lower levels than the county average. Testing is the only way to know exactly what is in your water and what treatment you actually need. A water softener can reduce hardness, and a certified treatment system can address specific contaminants like arsenic and nitrate.
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 | 180 | 28% | High | High | |
| Manganese | 140 | 18% | High | High | |
| Sulfate | 13 | 8% | Low | Moderate | |
| Chloride | 13 | 8% | Low | Moderate | |
| Nitrate | 48 | 4% | Moderate |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Arsenic | 132 | 2% | High | Low | |
| Fluoride | 379 | 1% | High | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 2 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Lead | 133 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Nitrite | 13 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| 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 | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Uranium | 44 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Sodium | 13 | — | Low | Low | |
| pH | 15 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 2 | — | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 13 | — | 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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