Groundwater in Edwards County contains sulfate, iron, and arsenic. Iron and sulfate exceed EPA health standards, making them the primary concerns for well owners in this area.
The Edwards-Trinity aquifer system naturally contains these contaminants. Water moving through the limestone and other rock layers dissolves iron and sulfate minerals, releasing them into the groundwater. These are natural sources, not pollution from land use or septic systems.
Groundwater in this county is very hard, driven by calcium and magnesium from the limestone below. As water flows slowly through these carbonate rocks, it picks up dissolved minerals that build hardness. Very hard water is widespread across wells throughout Edwards County.
Iron and sulfate are the main concerns in Edwards County well water that exceed EPA health standards. Iron can cause problems with your blood and organs over time. Sulfate at elevated levels can affect your digestive system.
The very hard water in this county will create chalky white scale buildup on faucets, shower heads, and inside pipes. You may notice staining on laundry and bathroom fixtures from iron. Extremely hard water can shorten the lifespan of water heaters, dishwashers, and other appliances. Soap and shampoo will not work as well.
We recommend testing your well water to find out what is actually in it, since every well is different and your water could have higher or lower levels than what is common here. A comprehensive metals and minerals panel costs between two hundred and four hundred dollars and will tell you exactly what you are dealing with. Once you know your results, you can choose treatments like water softeners for hardness or iron filters to address specific problems.
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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sulfate | 5 | 40% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Iron | 105 | 2% | High | Low | |
| Arsenic | 96 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Chloride | 5 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Fluoride | 181 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Lead | 97 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Manganese | 97 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrate | 23 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrite | 4 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Radon | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Uranium | 33 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| E. coli | 1* | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 5 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| pH | 5 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 5 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Total Coliform | 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.
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