Well Water in Gillespie County: What to Test and Why

Groundwater in Gillespie County contains iron, manganese, nitrate, lead, and fluoride. Several of these contaminants exceed EPA health standards and warrant attention.

These contaminants come from two sources. Iron and manganese dissolve naturally from the local rock as water moves through it underground. Nitrate, lead, and fluoride enter from human activities like agriculture, septic systems, and past land use, mixed with natural fluoride from the rock itself.

Groundwater in this county is notable for elevated iron and manganese from the surrounding rock. As water sits in contact with these minerals underground, they dissolve into the water. Iron at moderate levels is common across many wells in the area.

Gillespie County well water commonly contains fluoride, iron, lead, manganese, and nitrate at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Fluoride in excess amounts can damage tooth enamel in children. Lead is a metal that harms brain development and kidney function. Manganese affects the nervous system when consumed at elevated levels. Nitrate poses a special risk to infants and can cause serious health problems in young babies.

Iron and manganese in county wells create visible staining on fixtures, laundry, and skin. Water may taste metallic or have a reddish or brown color. These minerals can build up inside pipes and reduce water flow over time. The staining and discoloration are annoying but disappear with proper treatment.

Your well is different from others in the county--it may have higher or lower levels of these contaminants. Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your well so you can treat it correctly. We recommend a comprehensive metals and minerals panel, which typically costs between two hundred and four hundred dollars. Iron removal systems and water filtration can address many of these concerns once testing shows what you are dealing with.