Groundwater in Gregg County contains chloride, iron, lead, and manganese at levels that exceed EPA health standards. These contaminant levels are high enough that well owners should take action to address them.
The Texas coastal uplands sit above rock layers that naturally contain salt and minerals. Chloride and iron come from these underground rock formations, where salty water has been trapped for millions of years. Lead and manganese likely enter groundwater through corrosion of pipes and fixtures or from natural deposits in the surrounding rock and soil.
Groundwater in this county is notably high in sodium, which comes from the salty rock layers below. The water is soft and contains moderate iron, so sodium is the mineral that makes this water stand out. Most wells in Gregg County show elevated sodium levels because of the geology beneath the surface.
Wells in Gregg County sometimes contain chloride, iron, lead, and manganese at levels above EPA health standards. Lead can damage your brain and kidneys, especially in children and pregnant women. Manganese affects your nervous system and can harm how your brain develops. Chloride at high levels can be a problem for people with heart disease or high blood pressure. Iron and manganese together can cause additional health concerns.
County well water has very high sodium, which can taste salty and is a concern for people watching their salt intake. Iron in the water leaves rust-colored stains on sinks, toilets, and laundry. The water is soft, so you probably will not have scale buildup in pipes or appliances.
We recommend testing your well water with a comprehensive panel that checks for metals and minerals, since multiple analytes exceed standards in this county. Every well is different, and your water could have higher or lower levels than what is common here. Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your well so you can treat it properly. A comprehensive metals and minerals panel typically costs between two hundred and four hundred dollars. Treatment options like reverse osmosis systems or ion exchange can address both lead and high sodium.
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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chloride | 10 | 40% | Low | High | |
| Iron | 125 | 18% | High | High | |
| Lead | 33 | 3% | Moderate |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Manganese | 69 | 3% | Moderate | Low | |
| Arsenic | 34 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Fluoride | 172 | 0% | High | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 55 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Nitrate | 20 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrite | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 55 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 55 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 55 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 55 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Sulfate | 10 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| Uranium | 3 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 10 | — | Low | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 55 | — | Moderate | Safe | |
| pH | 10 | — | Low | Low | |
| Sodium | 10 | — | 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.
Loading recent water news…