Groundwater in Galveston County contains arsenic, chloride, fluoride, iron, manganese, and PFOS. Several of these contaminants exceed EPA health standards, which is concerning and warrants attention from well owners.
This county sits on a coastal plain near the Gulf of Mexico, where saltwater naturally pushes inland and mixes with fresh groundwater, raising chloride levels. Iron and manganese dissolve from rocks in the underground layers here. Arsenic and PFOS can come from both natural deposits in the rock and from industrial or past industrial activity in the area.
Groundwater in this county is very hard, with high calcium and magnesium from the rock layers below, and sodium is notably elevated due to saltwater influence near the coast. Iron is also present at moderate levels, adding to the mineral content. These characteristics show up across most wells in the county, though individual wells vary in exact concentrations.
Wells in Galveston County have been found to contain arsenic, chloride, fluoride, iron, and manganese at levels above EPA health standards, along with PFOS, an industrial chemical. Arsenic can damage your organs and increase cancer risk over time. Fluoride at very high levels can harm bone health. Chloride affects kidney function in sensitive people. PFOS accumulates in your body and may affect your immune system and liver. Iron and manganese at elevated levels can cause neurological effects, especially in children.
The water in this county tends to be very hard, which means you'll notice scale buildup on faucets, shower heads, and inside pipes. You may see rust stains on sinks and laundry from iron. High sodium gives the water a salty taste. Very hard water shortens the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers because mineral deposits clog them up. You'll likely spend more on soap and shampoo since suds don't form as easily.
Every well is different--yours could have higher or lower levels than what's common in the county. Testing is the only way to know what's actually in your water so you can treat it properly. We recommend a comprehensive metals and minerals panel, which typically costs between $200 and $400. Treatment options like reverse osmosis systems or water softeners can address multiple concerns at once.
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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manganese | 58 | 43% | Moderate | High | |
| Chloride | 723 | 36% | High | High | |
| Iron | 153 | 10% | High | Moderate | |
| Arsenic | 43 | 7% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 87 | 1% | Moderate | Low | |
| Fluoride | 208 | 0% | High | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 87 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Lead | 43 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrate | 17 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrite | 2 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 87 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 87 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 87 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Radon | 2 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 95 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Uranium | 11 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| Hardness | 15 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 87 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| pH | 726 | — | High | Low | |
| Sodium | 8 | — | 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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