Groundwater in Tom Green County contains radon, nitrate, chloride, fluoride, lead, and manganese at levels that exceed EPA health standards. These contaminants are present at concentrations serious enough that well owners should test their water and consider treatment options.
The sources of these contaminants are mixed. Nitrate and chloride often come from agricultural practices, septic systems, and road salt. Radon seeps naturally from the rock below. Lead and manganese can leach from pipes and rock as slightly acidic water moves through the ground. The varied geology in this area makes contaminants more likely to reach wells.
Groundwater in this county is very hard, driven by high levels of calcium and magnesium dissolved from the rock. Sodium and sulfate also concentrate in the water as it sits underground and dissolves minerals from the surrounding formations. These mineral characteristics are widespread across the county's wells.
Wells in Tom Green County have been found with several contaminants above EPA health limits. Chloride, fluoride, lead, manganese, and nitrate can affect your health if you drink contaminated water over time. Radon and sulfate also exceed standards in some county wells. Lead is especially dangerous for children and can harm brain development. Nitrate is risky for babies and pregnant women. Radon increases lung cancer risk with long-term exposure.
The water in this county is very hard, which creates real problems at home. Hard water leaves white scale buildup on faucets, shower heads, and inside pipes. It can shorten the life of water heaters and dishwashers. You may notice staining on fixtures and clothes, and soap does not work as well. The high sodium in county wells can affect the taste of your water.
We recommend testing your well to find out what is actually in your water, since every well is different and yours could have higher or lower levels than the county average. A comprehensive panel that checks for metals, minerals, bacteria, and nitrate runs between two hundred and four hundred dollars and is the only way to know what treatment your water truly needs. Treatment options like reverse osmosis, water softeners, or activated carbon filters can address different contaminants.
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 | 1 | 100% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Nitrate | 59 | 64% | Moderate | High | |
| Chloride | 35 | 54% | Moderate | High | |
| Sulfate | 33 | 27% | Moderate | High | |
| Iron | 141 | 1% | High | Low | |
| Manganese | 144 | 1% | High | Low | |
| Lead | 125 | 1% | High | Low | |
| Fluoride | 380 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Arsenic | 143 | 0% | High | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 31 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Nitrite | 9 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 31 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 31 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 31 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 31 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Uranium | 41 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 31 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| pH | 33 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Sodium | 33 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Total Coliform | 1* | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| E. coli | 1* | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 33 | — | 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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