Grimes County's groundwater contains radon, manganese, iron, arsenic, chloride, nitrate, and sulfate at levels that exceed EPA health standards. These elevated contaminant levels warrant attention from well owners.
The rock layers beneath Grimes County naturally release iron and manganese as water moves through them over time. Radon comes from radioactive minerals in the bedrock. Nitrate, chloride, and sulfate can also seep in from agricultural activities and natural soil sources in the area.
Groundwater in this county is very hard, driven by high levels of calcium and magnesium dissolved from the local rock. The water also contains elevated sodium. These mineral characteristics are common across wells throughout Grimes County.
Wells in Grimes County commonly exceed EPA health standards for arsenic, nitrate, radon, and manganese. Arsenic can damage your kidneys and increase cancer risk over time. Nitrate poses special danger to infants and young children. Radon is a radioactive gas that enters your lungs and increases lung cancer risk. Manganese at elevated levels can affect your nervous system and brain development in children.
County wells are very hard, which means mineral buildup happens fast. Scale forms inside pipes, water heaters, and dishwashers, shortening how long these appliances last. Hard water makes soap and shampoo less effective and leaves spots on dishes and fixtures. High sodium in the water adds salt that some people can taste. Iron in county wells leaves rust-colored stains on sinks, toilets, and laundry.
Because many different contaminants exceed health standards in this county, we recommend a comprehensive metals and minerals panel, which typically costs $200-400. Every well is different, and your well may have higher or lower levels than what is common here. Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your water so you can treat it properly. Water softeners address hardness, while reverse osmosis systems or aeration can help with multiple concerns.
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 | 1 | 100% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Manganese | 57 | 37% | Moderate | High | |
| Iron | 231 | 29% | High | High | |
| Sulfate | 150 | 20% | High | High | |
| Chloride | 150 | 18% | High | High | |
| Nitrate | 158 | 11% | High | Moderate | |
| Arsenic | 53 | 8% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Fluoride | 372 | 0% | High | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 6 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Lead | 53 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrite | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 6 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 6 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 6 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 6 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Uranium | 11 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| Hardness | 148 | — | High | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 6 | — | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| pH | 138 | — | High | Low | |
| Sodium | 145 | — | High | 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…