Groundwater in Goliad County contains arsenic, chloride, and iron at levels that exceed EPA health standards. These contaminants are present at concentrations the EPA considers concerning enough to require action.
The coastal lowlands where this county sits naturally contain salt and minerals that have moved into the groundwater over time. Arsenic occurs naturally in these sedimentary rock layers, and saltwater from the Gulf has historically seeped inland into the aquifer, raising chloride levels. Human activity like irrigation and oil field operations can also push these contaminants deeper into wells.
Groundwater in this county is very hard, driven by high sodium and very elevated hardness minerals that accumulate in the coastal aquifer environment. The flat, low-lying terrain here allows water to move slowly through sediment layers rich in dissolved minerals, concentrating them over time. Very hard water with high sodium is the normal condition across most wells in this county.
Wells in Goliad County show arsenic and chloride at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Arsenic is a poison that can build up in your body over time and increase the risk of cancer and other serious illnesses. Chloride at high levels can cause problems for people with heart disease or high blood pressure who need to watch their salt intake.
The water in this county is extremely hard, which means you will likely see white scale buildup on faucets and in pipes. Hard water can shorten the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers. You may also notice staining on sinks and tubs, and soap will not lather as well as you are used to.
We recommend testing your well water with a comprehensive panel to find out exactly what is in your water, since 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 you are actually dealing with so you can treat it correctly. A comprehensive metals and minerals panel typically costs two hundred to four hundred dollars. Depending on what you find, a water softener can help with hardness, and filtering systems are available to reduce arsenic and chloride.
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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arsenic | 67 | 10% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Chloride | 19 | 5% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Iron | 70 | 4% | Moderate |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Fluoride | 211 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Lead | 67 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Manganese | 67 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrate | 35 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrite | 17 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Sulfate | 19 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Uranium | 33 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Hardness | 19 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| pH | 19 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Sodium | 19 | — | 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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