Groundwater in Kleberg County contains arsenic, chloride, fluoride, iron, manganese, sulfate, and uranium at levels that exceed EPA health standards. These contaminants are present at concerning levels that warrant attention from well owners in this area.
The coastal lowlands aquifer system in this county naturally contains high salt and mineral content because seawater has mixed into the groundwater over time. This area sits near the Gulf Coast where saltwater can move inland and upward into freshwater aquifers, especially in low-lying areas. Oil and gas activities, along with agricultural use, can also contribute to elevated chloride and sulfate in some wells.
Groundwater in this county is hard and carries very high sodium, high sulfate, and moderate iron. These minerals come from the rocks and sediments that make up the coastal aquifer, which naturally concentrate salt and minerals as water moves through them. Hard water with elevated sodium and sulfate is common across wells throughout Kleberg County.
Wells in Kleberg County have been found with arsenic, uranium, fluoride, and manganese at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Arsenic and uranium are radioactive elements that can cause cancer and organ damage with long-term exposure. Fluoride at high levels can damage bones and teeth. Manganese can harm the nervous system, especially in children.
The county's water also contains very high sodium and high sulfate along with moderate iron. This combination creates a salty taste, staining on fixtures and clothes, and rotten-egg odor in some wells. Hard water in the county can reduce how long your water heater and dishwasher last by building up mineral scale inside.
We recommend a comprehensive water test to find out exactly what is in your well, since every well is different and yours could have higher or lower levels than the county average. Testing is the only way to know what treatment your water needs. A full panel with metals and minerals costs between $200 and $400. Depending on what your test shows, treatment options include reverse osmosis systems or specialized filters for arsenic and uranium removal.
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 | 80 | 70% | Moderate | High | |
| Sulfate | 75 | 49% | Moderate | High | |
| Iron | 150 | 25% | High | High | |
| Manganese | 114 | 11% | High | Moderate | |
| Arsenic | 86 | 8% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Uranium | 34 | 6% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Fluoride | 292 | 1% | High | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 22 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Lead | 85 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrate | 88 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 22 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 22 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 22 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 22 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Sodium | 62 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| pH | 80 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 22 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Hardness | 80 | — | 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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