Groundwater in Kinney County contains radon, sulfate, nitrate, and iron that well owners should be aware of. These contaminants are present at levels that exceed EPA health standards and warrant attention.
These contaminants come from natural sources in the rock layers beneath the county. Radon seeps from uranium naturally present in the rock. Sulfate and nitrate dissolve into groundwater as it moves through soil and rock, with nitrate also coming from agricultural and septic sources. Iron occurs naturally where the rock contains iron-bearing minerals.
Groundwater in this county is very hard, driven by elevated calcium and magnesium that dissolve from the rock as water passes through it. The local rock layers naturally contain these minerals in significant amounts, releasing them into water over time. Most wells in Kinney County show this same very hard water character.
Wells in this county show levels of iron, nitrate, radon, and sulfate that exceed EPA health standards. Iron in high amounts can affect your organs over time. Nitrate is especially dangerous for babies and can interfere with how blood carries oxygen. Radon is a radioactive gas that builds up in homes and increases the risk of lung cancer. Sulfate at elevated levels can cause digestive problems, especially in young children and people with certain health conditions.
The very hard water in county wells creates real problems for daily life. Hard water leaves chalky spots on dishes and shower doors, stains clothes, and makes soap less effective. It can clog pipes and shorten the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers because mineral buildup reduces how well they work. You may also notice a metallic taste or slight odor in the water.
We recommend testing your well to find out what is actually in your water, since every well is different and yours could have higher or lower levels than the county average. A comprehensive panel that checks for metals, minerals, bacteria, and chemicals typically costs between two hundred and four hundred dollars. Testing is the only way to know what treatment your water really needs, whether that is a water softener for hardness, an iron filter, or other solutions.
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 | 3 | 33% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 75 | 23% | Moderate | High | |
| Nitrate | 55 | 5% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Iron | 91 | 4% | Moderate |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Arsenic | 71 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Chloride | 82 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Fluoride | 188 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Lead | 70 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Manganese | 82 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrite | 4 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Uranium | 25 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Total Coliform | 1* | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 30 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| pH | 55 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Hardness | 73 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| E. coli | 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.
Loading recent water news…