Groundwater in Erath County contains iron, manganese, nitrate, and PFOS that exceed EPA health standards. Iron and manganese are at moderate levels, while nitrate and PFOS present more serious concerns that warrant testing of your well.
Iron and manganese occur naturally in the rock layers that supply this county's groundwater. Nitrate comes from agricultural activities and septic systems in the area. PFOS is an industrial chemical that has contaminated groundwater in some locations and requires investigation of local sources.
Groundwater in Erath County is very hard, driven by elevated calcium and magnesium that dissolve from the rock as water moves underground. The local geology creates conditions where these minerals accumulate in the water supply. Hard water is widespread across wells in this county.
Wells in Erath County commonly contain iron, manganese, nitrate, and PFOS at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Iron and manganese can build up in your body over time and affect your nervous system and organs. Nitrate is especially dangerous for babies and can interfere with how blood carries oxygen. PFOS is a chemical that can weaken your immune system and affect your liver.
The very hard water in county wells causes real problems around your home. Iron leaves rust-colored stains on sinks, toilets, and laundry that are hard to remove. Hard water creates scale buildup inside pipes and water heaters, which shortens the lifespan of your water heater and dishwasher. You may notice a metallic taste or smell in your water, and soap does not work as well for cleaning.
We recommend testing your well water as soon as possible. Every well is different, and your water could have higher or lower levels than what is common in the county. Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your well so you can treat it properly. A comprehensive panel that checks metals, minerals, and contaminants costs between two hundred and four hundred dollars. Treatment options like iron filters and reverse osmosis systems can remove these problems from your water.
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 | 221 | 17% | High | High | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 14 | 14% | Low | Moderate | |
| Nitrate | 118 | 7% | High | Moderate | |
| Manganese | 210 | 2% | High | Low | |
| Arsenic | 227 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Chloride | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Fluoride | 396 | 0% | High | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 14 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| Lead | 181 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Nitrite | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 14 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 14 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 14 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| Radon | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Uranium | 35 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| E. coli | 1* | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 1 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 14 | — | Low | Safe | |
| pH | 1 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 1 | — | 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.
Order a Tap Score Test →Population-level CDC data. Not individual risk prediction.
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