Groundwater in Montague County contains chloride, iron, manganese, fluoride, and nitrate at levels that exceed federal health standards. These contaminants are present at concerning concentrations that warrant attention from well owners in this area.
The rock layers beneath Montague County naturally release iron and manganese into groundwater as water moves through them over time. Chloride and nitrate come from both natural sources in the rock and from human activities like agricultural use and septic systems. Fluoride occurs naturally in the local rock as well. All of these contaminants are common in this part of Texas because of the composition of the underground rock.
Groundwater in Montague County is very hard, driven by high levels of calcium and magnesium dissolved from the rock as water passes through. These minerals concentrate in the groundwater because of the mineral-rich rock formations that underlie the county. The combination of very high hardness, elevated iron, and moderate sodium levels is widespread across wells throughout this county.
Wells in Montague County show high levels of chloride, fluoride, iron, manganese, and nitrate above EPA health standards. Chloride at elevated levels can raise blood pressure in some people, especially those with heart or kidney problems. Fluoride in excess amounts can damage tooth enamel and bones. Nitrate is especially dangerous for babies and can interfere with oxygen in the blood. Iron and manganese at high levels can affect the nervous system and cause other health problems over time.
The very hard water in county wells causes serious quality-of-life problems. Hard water leaves stubborn stains on sinks, tubs, and clothing that are difficult to remove. Scale builds up inside pipes and water heaters, shortening the lifespan of these appliances and dishwashers. High iron creates reddish stains and a metallic taste. The combination of these minerals makes soap and shampoo less effective and can dry out skin and hair.
We recommend testing your well as soon as possible because every well in the county is different from its neighbors. Your well water could have much higher or much lower levels than what is common here. A comprehensive panel that checks for metals and minerals will give you the actual picture of what is in your water so you can treat it properly. Testing costs between two hundred and four hundred dollars and is the only way to know for certain what you are dealing with. Water softeners and iron filters address many of these 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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chloride | 6 | 50% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Iron | 56 | 43% | Moderate | High | |
| Manganese | 44 | 23% | Moderate | High | |
| Fluoride | 492 | 4% | High |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Nitrate | 36 | 3% | Moderate | Low | |
| Arsenic | 33 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 10 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| Lead | 33 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrite | 5 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 10 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 10 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 10 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 10 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| Sulfate | 5 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Uranium | 12 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| Sodium | 5 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| pH | 6 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 10 | — | Low | Safe | |
| Hardness | 5 | — | Low | 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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