Groundwater in La Salle County contains arsenic, chloride, fluoride, iron, manganese, radon, and sulfate at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Several of these contaminants--arsenic, chloride, fluoride, and radon--are present at concerning levels that well owners should monitor and address.
These contaminants come from the rock and soil layers beneath the county. Radon rises naturally from radioactive minerals in the rock. Salt minerals like chloride and sulfate dissolve into groundwater as it moves through underground layers. Arsenic and fluoride also occur naturally in the rock in this region. Iron and manganese seep into water from the surrounding soil and rock materials.
Groundwater in this county is soft but high in sodium and sulfate, giving it a notable mineral character driven by salt and sulfur compounds. The Texas coastal uplands geology here contains rock and sediment rich in these minerals, which dissolve easily as water passes through. Most wells in La Salle County show these elevated sodium and sulfate levels, making this a widespread feature of the groundwater.
Wells in La Salle County have been found to exceed EPA health standards for arsenic, chloride, fluoride, iron, manganese, radon, and sulfate. Arsenic can damage the kidneys and nerves over time and raises the risk of certain cancers. Radon is a radioactive gas that increases lung cancer risk when breathed in over many years. Fluoride at high levels can cause skeletal problems and dental issues in children.
County well water contains very high sodium levels, which can taste salty and is a concern for people on sodium-restricted diets. The moderate iron and sulfate levels can create a rotten egg smell, staining on fixtures and laundry, and a metallic taste. Even though wells in this county are not extremely hard, these mineral issues still affect daily life and water quality.
We recommend a comprehensive water test to find out exactly what is in your well, since every well is different and yours may have higher or lower levels than the county average. A full metals and minerals panel typically costs between two hundred and four hundred dollars. Testing is the only way to know what treatment your well actually needs, whether that is a water softener, reverse osmosis system, or other options.
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 | 2 | 50% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 124 | 35% | High | High | |
| Chloride | 126 | 28% | High | High | |
| Iron | 210 | 24% | High | High | |
| Manganese | 125 | 7% | High | Moderate | |
| Arsenic | 108 | 2% | High | Low | |
| Fluoride | 340 | 2% | High | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 7 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Lead | 110 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Nitrate | 140 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Nitrite | 6 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 7 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 7 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 7 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 7 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Uranium | 28 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Sodium | 124 | — | High | Low | |
| pH | 116 | — | High | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 7 | — | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 116 | — | High | 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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