Lead and fluoride are present in Real County groundwater at levels that exceed EPA health standards. These contaminant levels are concerning and should prompt well owners to test their water.
Lead and fluoride come from the rock layers beneath the county. As groundwater flows through limestone and other rock formations in the Edwards-Trinity aquifer system, it dissolves these elements naturally over time.
Groundwater in Real County is hard and very high in sodium and sulfate, with moderate iron present. The limestone and mineral-rich rock below this area releases calcium and magnesium that create hardness, while sodium and sulfate dissolve from the same rock layers. These characteristics appear across many wells throughout the county.
Wells in Real County contain fluoride and lead at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Fluoride at elevated levels can harm bone health and dental development in children. Lead is harmful to the brain and kidneys, and poses particular risk to young children and pregnant women.
The county's well water is very hard and contains high amounts of sodium and sulfate. Hard water leaves scale buildup in pipes and appliances, and shortens the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers. You may notice a salty taste, white or rust-colored stains on fixtures, or a rotten-egg odor from sulfate. Soap does not work well in hard water, leaving laundry stiff and skin dry.
We recommend a comprehensive metals and minerals panel to find out what is actually in your well, since every well in this county varies and yours could have higher or lower levels than the county average. Testing is the only way to know whether your water needs treatment to protect your family. A comprehensive panel typically costs $200-400. Depending on results, treatment options like reverse osmosis systems or water softeners can address multiple concerns at once.
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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lead | 37 | 3% | Moderate | Low | |
| Fluoride | 92 | 1% | Moderate | Low | |
| Arsenic | 37 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Chloride | 2 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Iron | 39 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Manganese | 35 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrate | 10 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| Nitrite | 2 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Radon | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 2 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Uranium | 6 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 2 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| pH | 2 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 2 | — | 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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