Groundwater in Sabine County contains nitrate, iron, and lead at levels that exceed EPA health standards. These contaminants are present at concentrations that warrant attention from well owners in this area.
Nitrate comes from fertilizer and septic systems in the soil above. Iron and lead come from the rocks and minerals in the Mississippi embayment aquifer system that sits beneath the county. As water moves slowly through these rock layers, it picks up these metals and other dissolved materials.
Groundwater in Sabine County has moderate iron and sodium as its main mineral characteristics. The iron-bearing rocks in this region naturally dissolve into the water as it flows underground, and sodium concentrations reflect the mineral makeup of the deep aquifer layers here. These mineral features are widespread across wells in the county.
Wells in Sabine County have been found to exceed EPA health standards for iron, lead, nitrate, and sulfate. Lead exposure harms children's brain development and can cause learning problems and behavioral issues in young people. Nitrate in drinking water is especially dangerous for infants and can interfere with how their blood carries oxygen. Iron and sulfate at elevated levels also pose health concerns for your family's wellbeing.
The iron in county well water can leave brown or reddish stains on your clothes, sinks, and fixtures that are hard to clean. You may notice a metallic taste in your drinking water or see discoloration when you fill a glass. Since the water in this county is relatively soft, you won't face heavy scale buildup, but iron staining will still be a daily frustration in your home.
We recommend getting your well tested right away since every well is different and yours could have much higher or lower levels than what we see across the county. A comprehensive panel testing for metals and minerals typically costs between $200 and $400 and is the only way to know exactly what you're dealing with. Once you have results, treatment options like iron filters or reverse osmosis systems can remove these contaminants and protect your family.
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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nitrate | 20 | 25% | Moderate | High | |
| Sulfate | 15 | 13% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Iron | 80 | 11% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Lead | 22 | 5% | Moderate |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Arsenic | 22 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Chloride | 15 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Fluoride | 96 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 18 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Manganese | 25 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrite | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 18 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 18 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 18 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 18 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Radon | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Uranium | 7 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 15 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 18 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| pH | 15 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Sodium | 15 | — | 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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