Groundwater in Matagorda County contains arsenic, chloride, fluoride, iron, lead, manganese, nitrate, and radon at levels that exceed EPA health standards. These contaminant levels are concerning and warrant attention from well owners in this area.
The coastal lowlands where this county sits naturally contain metals like arsenic, iron, and manganese in the rock and soil layers. Saltwater from the nearby Gulf of Mexico has moved inland over time, adding chloride and other salts to the groundwater. Radon seeps into water from radioactive minerals in the local rocks. Human activities like oil and gas operations and past industrial use have also contributed to some contamination.
Groundwater in this county is very hard, driven primarily by elevated sodium and significant calcium and magnesium from the rocks below. These minerals concentrate here because of the coastal plain geology and saltwater influence that deposits minerals over time. Very hard water with high sodium is common across wells throughout this county.
Wells in Matagorda County contain several contaminants that exceed EPA health standards. Arsenic, lead, and radon can damage organs and the nervous system with long-term exposure. Fluoride at high levels can affect bone health. Nitrate poses risks to infants and young children. Manganese can affect brain development in children.
The county's water is very hard, which causes scale buildup on pipes and fixtures and reduces the effectiveness of soap and detergent. Iron staining leaves rust marks on laundry and fixtures. High sodium levels can affect the taste of your water. Very hard water also shortens the lifespan of water heaters, dishwashers, and other appliances that use hot water.
We recommend a comprehensive metals and minerals panel to find out what is actually in your well, since every well is different and yours could have higher or lower levels than what is common here. Testing costs between two hundred and four hundred dollars and is the only way to know what needs treatment. Depending on results, options like reverse osmosis filters or water softeners can address multiple concerns.
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 | 1 | 100% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Manganese | 483 | 38% | High | High | |
| Chloride | 252 | 21% | High | High | |
| Iron | 438 | 16% | High | High | |
| Arsenic | 191 | 2% | High | Low | |
| Nitrate | 247 | 1% | High | Low | |
| Lead | 185 | 1% | High | Low | |
| Fluoride | 845 | 0% | High | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 13 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| Nitrite | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 13 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 13 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 13 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 13 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| Sulfate | 248 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Uranium | 84 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Sodium | 250 | — | High | Low | |
| pH | 241 | — | High | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 13 | — | Low | Safe | |
| Hardness | 248 | — | 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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