Groundwater in Hockley County contains radon, fluoride, arsenic, chloride, iron, manganese, nitrate, PFOS, sulfate, and uranium. Several of these contaminants exceed EPA health standards, making testing and awareness important for well owners.
These contaminants come from two sources working together. Naturally occurring minerals like arsenic, uranium, and radon are released into the water as it moves slowly through the sandy and rocky layers of the High Plains aquifer. Nitrate enters from agricultural fertilizer use, and high chloride and sulfate levels build up from the rock itself dissolving into the water over time.
Groundwater in Hockley County is very hard, driven by high calcium and magnesium combined with elevated sodium and sulfate. This county's rock layers naturally contain these minerals, and as water passes through them year after year, the minerals accumulate in solution. These characteristics are widespread across wells throughout the county.
Wells in Hockley County commonly exceed EPA health standards for arsenic, uranium, nitrate, fluoride, radon, and chloride. Arsenic and uranium are radioactive elements that can damage your kidneys and increase cancer risk with long-term exposure. Nitrate is especially dangerous for infants and can interfere with how their blood carries oxygen. Radon is a radioactive gas that increases lung cancer risk when breathed in over time. Fluoride at elevated levels can damage tooth enamel in children.
The county's very hard water creates stubborn white scale buildup on fixtures and inside pipes. High sodium and sulfate levels can give the water a salty or bitter taste. Hard water reduces how well soap and shampoo lather, making cleaning less effective. Very hard water also shortens the lifespan of water heaters, dishwashers, and other appliances.
Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your well, since every well is different and your water may have higher or lower levels than what is common in the county. We recommend a comprehensive metals and minerals panel, which typically costs between $200 and $400. Treatment options like reverse osmosis systems or water softeners can address multiple concerns once you know your specific levels.
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 ⓘ | |
| Fluoride | 335 | 51% | High | High | |
| Arsenic | 124 | 23% | High | High | |
| Manganese | 125 | 22% | High | High | |
| Sulfate | 5 | 20% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Chloride | 5 | 20% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Nitrate | 20 | 15% | Moderate | High | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 8 | 12% | Low | Moderate ⓘ | |
| Uranium | 28 | 11% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Iron | 129 | 2% | High | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Lead | 123 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Nitrite | 6 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| E. coli | 1* | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 5 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 8 | — | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| pH | 6 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 5 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Total Coliform | 1* | 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.
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