Groundwater in Martin County contains arsenic, fluoride, nitrate, radon, uranium, and elevated chloride and sulfate. Multiple contaminants exceed EPA health standards, making this a county where well owners need to test their water and consider treatment.
These contaminants come from natural sources in the rock layers below and from human activities on the land above. The High Plains aquifer sits in sandy and gravelly material that naturally contains uranium and radon. Nitrate enters from fertilizer and septic systems, while salt and sulfate leach from the ancient rock layers themselves.
Groundwater in this county is very hard, with high levels of sodium and sulfate driving the mineral character. The sandy rock layers of the High Plains aquifer dissolve minerals readily as water passes through, concentrating salts and sulfates over time. These mineral-rich conditions are widespread across wells in the county.
Wells in Martin County contain several substances at levels above EPA health standards. Arsenic, uranium, and radon are radioactive or toxic elements that can damage your kidneys, bones, and lungs over time. Nitrate can harm infants and interfere with oxygen in the blood. Fluoride, chloride, and sulfate at high levels also pose health concerns for some people in your household.
The water in this county is extremely hard, which means scale builds up inside pipes and appliances. Your water heater, dishwasher, and washing machine will wear out faster than normal. You may see rust stains on fixtures and laundry, or notice a salty or bitter taste in your water. These mineral deposits make soap work poorly and can leave your skin feeling dry.
We recommend a comprehensive water test right away since your well may have multiple contaminants. Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your water and how to treat it. A full panel costs between two hundred and four hundred dollars. Depending on your results, treatment options include reverse osmosis systems, water softeners, or aeration and filtration.
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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arsenic | 161 | 65% | High | High | |
| Fluoride | 222 | 44% | High | High | |
| Nitrate | 57 | 40% | Moderate | High | |
| Chloride | 5 | 40% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 5 | 40% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Radon | 5 | 40% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Uranium | 37 | 19% | Moderate | High | |
| Iron | 125 | 18% | High | High | |
| Manganese | 102 | 4% | High |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Lead | 97 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrite | 5 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Total Coliform | 2* | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 5 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| pH | 5 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 5 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| E. coli | 2* | 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.
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