Grayson County groundwater contains arsenic, fluoride, iron, manganese, radon, and a very high level of sodium. Multiple contaminants exceed EPA health standards, making testing and awareness essential for well owners.
The rock layers beneath this county naturally contain these metals and radioactive elements. As water moves slowly underground through these rocks over many years, it dissolves arsenic, fluoride, iron, and manganese. Radon gas forms from the natural breakdown of radioactive material in the bedrock and enters groundwater from below. Sodium accumulates in the water from the surrounding rock and soil.
Your county's groundwater is soft but carries very high sodium and moderate levels of iron and sulfate. Sodium concentrations here are significantly elevated because of the local rock composition. These mineral characteristics are widespread across wells throughout the county, so most owners in this area face similar water conditions.
Grayson County wells show several contaminants at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Arsenic can damage your kidneys and increase cancer risk. Fluoride at high levels can harm bone health and teeth. Manganese exposure affects the nervous system, especially in children. Radon is a radioactive gas that increases lung cancer risk when you breathe it in. PFHXS is a synthetic chemical that builds up in your body over time and can harm your immune system and liver.
The high sodium content in county well water gives it a salty or brackish taste that many people find unpleasant. You might notice the water feels slippery or leaves a residue on skin and hair. Iron in the water leaves rust-colored stains on fixtures, clothes, and anything it touches. The water may also have a metallic smell or taste. Though the water here is relatively soft, which is good for appliances, the sodium and iron together create noticeable quality-of-life issues.
We recommend a comprehensive metals and minerals panel to find out what is actually in your well, since every well is different and yours could have higher or lower levels than the county average. Testing costs between $200 and $400 and is the only way to know what treatment your water needs. Depending on what testing shows, treatment options like reverse osmosis filters or specialized ion exchange systems can address multiple contaminants 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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Radon | 3 | 67% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Iron | 498 | 18% | High | High | |
| Manganese | 333 | 5% | High | Moderate | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 102 | 2% | High | Low | |
| Arsenic | 189 | 1% | High | Low | |
| Fluoride | 672 | 1% | High | Low | |
| Chloride | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 102 | 0% | High | Safe | |
| Lead | 184 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Nitrate | 41 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrite | 3 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 102 | 0% | High | Safe | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 102 | 0% | High | Safe | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 102 | 0% | High | Safe | |
| Sulfate | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Uranium | 51 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| E. coli | 3* | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 3 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 102 | — | High | Low | |
| pH | 3 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 3 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Total Coliform | 3* | 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.
Loading recent water news…