Groundwater in Donley County contains iron and uranium at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Iron and uranium are present in amounts that well owners should be aware of and may want to address.
These metals come from the rock layers underground in the High Plains aquifer. As water moves through sand and gravel, it dissolves iron and uranium naturally present in the rock. This is a common pattern across the Texas Panhandle in counties using the same aquifer.
Groundwater in this county is very hard, driven by elevated calcium and magnesium dissolved from the rock below. The High Plains aquifer here sits in layers of sand and gravel that contain these minerals, and water passing through picks them up over time. Hard water is the norm for wells tapping this aquifer across Donley County and neighboring areas.
Wells in Donley County commonly have uranium and iron at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Uranium exposure over time can damage your kidneys and increase cancer risk. Iron at elevated levels can harm your liver and other organs. These contaminants are invisible in your water but need attention.
The very hard water in county wells causes real problems at home. You will see crusty buildup on faucets and showerheads. Soap does not work well, leaving films on skin and clothes. The water may taste salty or have a metallic flavor. Hard water wears out water heaters, dishwashers, and washing machines faster than normal.
We recommend testing your well with a comprehensive panel to see what you are actually dealing with. Your well could have more or less of these contaminants than the county average, so testing is the only way to know. A comprehensive metals and minerals test runs between two hundred and four hundred dollars. Water softeners and iron filters can help treat these concerns once you know your specific levels.
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 | 104 | 5% | High |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Uranium | 23 | 4% | Moderate |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Arsenic | 79 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Chloride | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Fluoride | 501 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Lead | 78 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Manganese | 93 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrate | 17 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrite | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Radon | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 1 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| pH | 1 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 1 | — | 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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