Fort Bend County's groundwater contains arsenic, chloride, iron, manganese, nitrate, radon, and PFOA/PFOS that exceed EPA health standards. These contaminant levels are serious enough that well owners need to test their water and take action.
The coastal lowlands where your county sits contain layers of sand, silt, and clay deposited over time by rivers and ocean activity. Iron and manganese occur naturally in these sediment layers. Arsenic also appears naturally in some underground zones here. Nitrate, chloride, and PFOS contamination come from human sources--fertilizer use, road salt, and industrial or wastewater discharge--that seep into the groundwater from above.
Groundwater in Fort Bend County is very hard, driven by elevated calcium and magnesium that dissolve from the sediment and rock layers underground. Iron at moderate levels and high sodium are also present in your county's water. These mineral characteristics are widespread across wells throughout the county.
Wells in Fort Bend County commonly contain arsenic, chloride, iron, manganese, nitrate, PFOA, and PFOS at levels above EPA health standards. Arsenic can cause skin problems and increase cancer risk over time. Manganese and nitrate affect the nervous system and blood in children and infants. PFOA and PFOS are industrial chemicals that build up in your body and can harm your immune system and thyroid. Radon is a radioactive gas that increases lung cancer risk when inhaled.
The water in this county is very hard, which causes white scale buildup on faucets, fixtures, and inside pipes. Hard water makes soap less effective, leaves spots on dishes, and can shorten the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers. You may notice reddish or brown staining from iron in sinks and toilets. The high sodium content gives water a salty taste that some people notice right away.
We recommend getting your well water tested with a comprehensive panel that checks for all these contaminants, since every well is different and yours could have higher or lower levels than the county average. Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your water so you can treat it properly. A comprehensive metals and minerals panel costs between $200 and $400. Treatment options range from whole-house filters and water softeners to point-of-use systems depending on what your test results show.
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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Radon | 9 | 78% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Iron | 280 | 23% | High | High | |
| Manganese | 208 | 20% | High | High | |
| Chloride | 356 | 3% | High | Low | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 299 | 1% | High | Low | |
| Nitrate | 89 | 1% | Moderate | Low | |
| Arsenic | 164 | 1% | High | Low | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 299 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Fluoride | 447 | 0% | High | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 299 | 0% | High | Safe | |
| Lead | 149 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Nitrite | 4 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 299 | 0% | High | Low | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 299 | 0% | High | Safe | |
| Sulfate | 109 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Uranium | 51 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Hardness | 96 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 299 | — | High | Low | |
| pH | 333 | — | High | Low | |
| Sodium | 95 | — | Moderate | 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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