Groundwater in Lavaca County contains iron, arsenic, manganese, lead, nitrate, and uranium. Several of these contaminants exceed EPA health standards, so well owners should test their water and know what they are drinking.
These metals and minerals come from the rock layers underground in this part of Texas. The county sits in a region where different rock types mix together, and groundwater moving through them picks up these elements naturally. Human activities like agriculture and past industrial use can also add nitrate and other contaminants to the water.
Groundwater in this county is notably high in iron, which comes from the rock formations below and the natural chemistry of the soil and water. Iron concentrates in groundwater where oxygen is low deep underground, a common situation in Texas coastal areas. Wells across this county show iron at moderate levels with considerable variation from one well to another.
Wells in Lavaca County contain several contaminants that exceed EPA health standards, including arsenic, lead, uranium, nitrate, and iron and manganese at elevated levels. Arsenic and uranium are radioactive elements that can increase cancer risk with long-term exposure. Lead harms children's brain development and causes high blood pressure in adults. Nitrate is especially risky for babies and can interfere with oxygen in the blood. Iron and manganese at high levels can cause problems with the nervous system and joints over time.
Iron in county wells creates orange or brown staining on sinks, toilets, and laundry. The water may taste metallic or have an unpleasant odor. These stains are stubborn to clean and can discolor clothing. Your water heater and other appliances may get damaged faster when iron is present.
We recommend testing your well water with a comprehensive panel since multiple contaminants exceed health standards in this county. Every well is different, and your water may have higher or lower levels than what is common here. Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your well so you can treat it properly. A comprehensive metals and minerals panel typically costs $200 to $400. Water treatment systems like iron filters or reverse osmosis can remove 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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