Hill County's groundwater contains arsenic, fluoride, iron, lead, manganese, nitrate, and PFOA. Several of these contaminants exceed EPA health standards and should concern well owners.
These contaminants enter the groundwater through a mix of natural and human sources. The local rock naturally releases iron, manganese, and fluoride into water as it moves underground. Nitrate seeps down from fertilizer use on farms and septic systems. Lead and PFOA come from old industrial sites, waste disposal areas, and manufacturing. Arsenic occurs naturally in certain rock layers but can also be released by human activity.
Groundwater in this county is notably high in iron, which gives the water its most visible character. Iron dissolves naturally from the rock as water sits in contact with it over time. This elevated iron is common across wells throughout Hill County, though levels vary from well to well.
Wells in Hill County exceed EPA health standards for arsenic, fluoride, lead, manganese, nitrate, and PFOA. Arsenic can damage your kidneys and increase cancer risk. Fluoride at elevated levels can harm children's teeth during development. Lead harms children's brain development and causes learning problems. Manganese affects the nervous system. Nitrate is especially dangerous for infants. PFOA is a human-made chemical linked to serious health effects.
Iron in county wells creates orange and brown staining on fixtures, laundry, and dishes. You may notice a metallic or bitter taste in your water. Iron can clog pipes and shorten the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers over time.
Every well is different, and your well may have higher or lower levels than what is common in Hill County. Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your water so it can be properly treated. We recommend a comprehensive metals and minerals panel, which typically costs $200 to $400. Treatment options like arsenic filters, reverse osmosis systems, or ion exchange can address multiple contaminants.
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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iron | 311 | 12% | High | Moderate | |
| Fluoride | 426 | 5% | High |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Lead | 74 | 4% | Moderate |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Arsenic | 77 | 4% | Moderate |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 48 | 2% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrate | 65 | 2% | Moderate | Low | |
| Manganese | 255 | 0% | High | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 48 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 48 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 48 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 48 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Uranium | 14 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 48 | — | 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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