Groundwater in Rusk County contains iron, manganese, chloride, and lead at concentrations that exceed EPA health standards. These elevated levels warrant attention from well owners in the area.
The Texas coastal uplands rock beneath this county naturally contains iron and manganese minerals that dissolve into groundwater as water moves through the stone. Chloride comes from the same rock layers and from deeper saltwater zones below. Lead enters from natural rock sources and from aging well infrastructure in the area.
Groundwater in this county is soft and marked by elevated sodium from the surrounding rock. Water softness here results from low calcium and magnesium in the aquifer, while sodium dissolves from the mineral-rich stone layers that make up the Texas coastal uplands. These characteristics are common across wells throughout the county.
Wells in Rusk County commonly contain chloride, iron, lead, and manganese at levels above EPA health standards. Lead can harm children's brain development and affect how their bodies grow. Manganese at elevated levels can damage the nervous system over time. Chloride and iron at high concentrations can create health concerns, particularly for people on sodium-restricted diets or with certain medical conditions.
The water in this county is relatively soft, which is good for your pipes and appliances. However, iron in the water leaves rust-colored or orange stains on sinks, toilets, and laundry. Manganese causes brown or black stains. You may notice a metallic or bitter taste. The high sodium content can make the water taste salty to some people.
Your well may have higher or lower levels of these contaminants than what is common in the county. Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your well. We recommend a comprehensive metals and minerals panel, which usually costs between two hundred and four hundred dollars. Once you know your results, treatment options like iron removal systems or whole-house filters can address your specific 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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iron | 455 | 14% | High | Moderate | |
| Manganese | 382 | 5% | High |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Chloride | 31 | 3% | Moderate |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Lead | 184 | 1% | High | Low | |
| Arsenic | 187 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Fluoride | 603 | 0% | High | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 32 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Nitrate | 21 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrite | 5 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 32 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 32 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 32 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 32 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Radon | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 31 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Uranium | 33 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Hardness | 31 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 32 | — | Moderate | Safe | |
| pH | 31 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Sodium | 26 | — | Moderate | 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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