Groundwater in Dimmit County contains iron, manganese, chloride, fluoride, arsenic, nitrate, and sulfate at levels that exceed EPA health standards. These contaminant levels are significant enough that well owners need to be aware and take action.
The rock beneath Dimmit County naturally releases these contaminants into the water. Iron and manganese come from minerals in the bedrock. Chloride, sulfate, and fluoride dissolve from the rocks as water moves through them underground. Nitrate enters from agricultural activity and septic systems in the area.
Groundwater in Dimmit County is hard and contains elevated sodium, iron, and sulfate. Hard water forms when calcium and magnesium dissolve from the rocks, while sodium and sulfate come naturally from the geology of the region. These mineral characteristics are widespread across wells throughout the county.
Wells in Dimmit County commonly exceed EPA health standards for arsenic, chloride, fluoride, nitrate, and manganese. Arsenic can damage your kidneys and increase cancer risk. Fluoride at elevated levels can cause dental problems and bone damage. Nitrate is especially dangerous for infants and can interfere with oxygen in the blood. Manganese can affect the nervous system and brain development. Chloride doesn't pose direct health risks at the levels found here, but it signals other concerns in your groundwater.
County well water is hard and contains elevated minerals that affect daily life. You'll see white scale buildup in pipes, on fixtures, and inside appliances. Soap won't lather well, and your clothes may feel stiff after washing. The water might taste salty or have a metallic flavor. Hard water shortens the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers.
We recommend a comprehensive metals and minerals panel to test your well, since every well is different and yours could have higher or lower levels than what is common here. Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your water so you can treat it properly. A comprehensive panel typically costs between two hundred and four hundred dollars. Water softeners and reverse osmosis filters are common treatment options for these concerns.
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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