Groundwater in Pecos County contains radon, sulfate, chloride, arsenic, fluoride, uranium, and elevated iron and manganese. Multiple contaminants exceed EPA health standards, making water testing essential for all private well owners in this area.
These contaminants come from the rocks beneath the county. Radon seeps naturally from radioactive minerals in the bedrock. Sulfate, chloride, and dissolved salts build up because the dry climate and evaporation concentrate minerals over time. Arsenic, uranium, and fluoride occur naturally in the rock and dissolve into groundwater as it flows through.
Groundwater in this county is very hard, driven by high levels of sodium and sulfate combined with hardness minerals. The underlying rocks release these minerals into water as it passes through, and the dry climate concentrates them further. These characteristics are widespread across wells throughout Pecos County.
Wells in Pecos County commonly have arsenic, uranium, radon, nitrate, and fluoride above EPA health limits. Arsenic and uranium can damage kidneys and increase cancer risk over time. Radon is a radioactive gas that builds up in homes and raises lung cancer risk. Nitrate is especially dangerous for babies and can cause serious illness. Fluoride at high levels can affect bone health and tooth development in children.
County well water also contains very high amounts of sodium, sulfate, and minerals that make the water extremely hard. This hardness causes white scale buildup on faucets, fixtures, and inside pipes and appliances. You may notice bitter or salty tastes, and soap does not lather well. Very hard water shortens the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers.
We recommend testing your well right away with a comprehensive panel that checks for metals, minerals, and contaminants since multiple analytes exceed health standards here. Testing costs between $200 and $400 and is the only way to know what is actually in your water so you can treat it correctly. Every well is different, and your water may have higher or lower levels than what is common in the county. Treatment options like reverse osmosis or activated carbon filters can 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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Radon | 3 | 67% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 92 | 65% | Moderate | High | |
| Chloride | 92 | 53% | Moderate | High | |
| Iron | 467 | 16% | High | High | |
| Manganese | 443 | 7% | High | Moderate | |
| Uranium | 138 | 2% | High | Low | |
| Fluoride | 766 | 1% | High | Low | |
| Arsenic | 432 | 1% | High | Low | |
| Nitrate | 144 | 1% | High | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 6 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Lead | 429 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Nitrite | 65 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 6 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 6 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 6 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 6 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| E. coli | 3* | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 92 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 6 | — | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| pH | 74 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Sodium | 88 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Total Coliform | 3* | 0% | 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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