Groundwater in Nacogdoches County contains iron, manganese, lead, and fluoride at levels that exceed EPA health standards. These are contaminants well owners need to address, especially lead and manganese, which reach concerning levels in this area.
The rock layers beneath Nacogdoches County naturally contain iron and manganese minerals that dissolve into groundwater as it moves through the soil. Lead enters from old pipes and plumbing fixtures in some wells, while fluoride occurs naturally in the local rock. These problems are common across the county because of the geology below.
Groundwater in Nacogdoches County is soft but high in sodium and iron. Sodium comes from the rock layers, while iron dissolves naturally from the minerals in this region's geology. Most wells in the county show these same characteristics.
Wells in Nacogdoches County show fluoride, iron, lead, and manganese at levels above EPA health standards. Fluoride at high levels can damage developing teeth in children and cause bone problems with long-term exposure. Lead is especially dangerous for children and can harm brain development and learning. Iron and manganese at elevated levels can cause nervous system effects and other health concerns with continued exposure.
County well water has high sodium, which is a concern for people watching their salt intake or managing heart and blood pressure conditions. The water is soft, so you won't see heavy scale buildup in pipes and appliances, but the high sodium means some families should discuss this with their doctor. Iron in the water can stain laundry, plumbing fixtures, and create reddish or brown discoloration.
Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your well, since every well is different and your water may have higher or lower levels than what is common here. We recommend a comprehensive panel that checks for metals, minerals, bacteria, and nitrate, which typically costs $200 to $400. Once you know what you're dealing with, a water professional can help you decide on treatment options like filtration or testing for lead service lines.
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 | 456 | 38% | High | High | |
| Manganese | 347 | 11% | High | Moderate | |
| Lead | 170 | 1% | High | Low | |
| Fluoride | 481 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Arsenic | 170 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Chloride | 7 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 24 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Nitrate | 39 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrite | 7 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 24 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 24 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 24 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 24 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Radon | 5 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 7 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Uranium | 42 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Sodium | 7 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| pH | 7 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 24 | — | Moderate | Safe | |
| Hardness | 7 | — | 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.
Loading recent water news…