Groundwater in Howard County contains arsenic, chloride, fluoride, iron, manganese, nitrate, sulfate, uranium, and PFOS and PFHXS compounds. Multiple contaminants exceed EPA health standards, making this a concern that deserves your attention.
These contaminants come from several sources. Nitrate and chloride often enter from fertilizer and road salt use across farmland. Arsenic, uranium, and naturally occurring minerals dissolve from the rock layers in the High Plains aquifer as water moves through them. Sulfate and iron also leach from the local rock. Industrial or past oil and gas activity in the region can contribute additional salts and compounds to groundwater.
Groundwater in Howard County is very hard, driven by elevated sulfate and sodium concentrations along with substantial hardness from dissolved minerals. The High Plains aquifer in this region contains rock and sediment rich in these minerals, and slow water movement through deep layers allows them to dissolve and build up. These characteristics are widespread across wells in the county, making them common in this area.
Wells in Howard County commonly have arsenic, uranium, fluoride, nitrate, and PFOS and PFHXS (industrial chemicals) at levels above EPA health standards. Arsenic and uranium can cause cancer and kidney damage over time. Nitrate is especially dangerous for babies and can prevent oxygen from reaching their blood. PFOS and PFHXS build up in your body and may harm your immune system and liver. Fluoride at high levels can damage bones and teeth during development.
County well water is also very hard and contains high amounts of sodium and sulfate. You may see orange or brown staining from iron on sinks and laundry. Hard water leaves scale buildup in pipes and on fixtures that is difficult to remove. The water may taste salty or bitter, and you could notice a rotten egg smell from sulfate. Very hard water wears out water heaters, dishwashers, and other appliances faster than normal.
We recommend testing your well as soon as possible because every well is different and yours may have higher or lower levels than what is common in the county. A comprehensive test panel is the best way to know exactly what is in your water so you can treat it properly. Testing typically costs between $200 and $400 for a full metals and minerals check. Water softeners, specialized filters, and reverse osmosis systems can address many of these 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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chloride | 30 | 90% | Moderate | High | |
| Sulfate | 10 | 80% | Low | High | |
| Nitrate | 24 | 50% | Moderate | High | |
| Arsenic | 96 | 46% | Moderate | High | |
| Fluoride | 207 | 15% | High | High | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 7 | 14% | Low | Moderate ⓘ | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 7 | 14% | Low | Moderate ⓘ | |
| Iron | 90 | 10% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Uranium | 13 | 8% | Low | Moderate | |
| Manganese | 70 | 7% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 7 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Lead | 67 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrite | 2 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 7 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 7 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Radon | 2 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Total Coliform | 1* | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 10 | — | Low | Low | |
| pH | 10 | — | Low | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 7 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| E. coli | 1* | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 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…