Well Water in Hunt County: What to Test and Why

Groundwater in Hunt County contains fluoride, iron, and PFOS at levels that exceed EPA health standards. These contaminants are present at concentrations high enough that well owners should be aware of them and consider testing.

Fluoride occurs naturally in this region's rock and soil. Iron comes from the minerals in the bedrock that dissolve slowly into groundwater as water filters down through the subsurface. PFOS is a human-made chemical that enters groundwater through industrial use, disposal, or contamination sources on or near the land surface.

Groundwater in Hunt County is marked by elevated iron as the main aesthetic characteristic. Iron dissolves from the rock layers below and accumulates in water that has little oxygen as it moves through the ground. Most wells in this county show some degree of iron presence in their water.

Wells in Hunt County commonly have fluoride, iron, and PFOS at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Fluoride at high levels can cause dental fluorosis, which affects tooth development in children. Iron itself is not harmful to health, but PFOS is a manufactured chemical that can build up in the body and may affect liver function, thyroid health, and immune response over time.

The moderate iron levels found in county wells create practical problems in your home. Iron stains laundry, sinks, and fixtures with rusty-brown marks that are hard to remove. You may notice a metallic taste in your water or see reddish discoloration when you run the tap.

We recommend testing your well to find out exactly what is in your water, since every well is different and yours could have higher or lower levels than the county average. A comprehensive metals and minerals panel costs between $200 and $400 and is worth doing given the multiple contaminants of concern here. Testing is the only way to know what treatment your specific well needs, whether that is installing a reverse osmosis system, using an iron filter, or another solution.