Groundwater in Lavaca County contains iron, arsenic, manganese, lead, nitrate, and uranium. Several of these contaminants exceed EPA health standards and warrant attention.
These metals and minerals come from the rock layers underground in this region. The local rock naturally releases iron and manganese into water as it sits in the ground. Arsenic, lead, and uranium also occur naturally in these rocks and dissolve into groundwater over time. Nitrate enters from fertilizers and septic systems in agricultural areas.
Groundwater in this county is notably high in iron. Iron concentrates in the water because the local rock releases it naturally as water moves through the layers below. This characteristic shows up across many wells throughout the county.
Wells in Lavaca County commonly contain arsenic, lead, uranium, nitrate, and manganese at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Arsenic builds up in your body over time and can damage your kidneys and increase cancer risk. Lead harms children's brain development and learning ability. Uranium and radium are radioactive and raise cancer risk. Nitrate is especially dangerous for infants and can cause serious illness. Manganese can affect your nervous system and brain development.
County well water with elevated iron causes orange or brown staining on fixtures, laundry, and skin. The water may taste metallic or have an unpleasant odor. Iron buildup can clog pipes and reduce water flow over time. These stains and tastes are not health threats, but they create daily frustrations in your home.
Your well is unique, and your water may have higher or lower levels than what is common in the county. Getting your well tested is the only way to know what is actually there so you can treat it properly. We recommend a comprehensive metals and minerals panel, which typically costs $200 to $400. Depending on what testing shows, treatment options like activated carbon filters or reverse osmosis systems can remove many of these contaminants.
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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iron | 137 | 19% | High | High | |
| Arsenic | 118 | 11% | High | Moderate | |
| Manganese | 122 | 10% | High | Moderate | |
| Uranium | 43 | 7% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Nitrate | 19 | 5% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Lead | 118 | 1% | High | Low | |
| Fluoride | 185 | 0% | 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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