Groundwater in Upton County contains uranium, iron, nitrate, fluoride, and manganese. These contaminants are present at levels high enough to exceed health standards that the EPA sets, and well owners should have their water tested to know what they are drinking.
The Pecos River Basin aquifer that supplies this county is made of river sand and gravel deposits. Uranium occurs naturally in these sediments and in the rocks beneath them. Nitrate comes from fertilizers used on land above the aquifer, and iron leaches from minerals in the sediment itself. Fluoride also appears naturally in the groundwater in this region.
Groundwater in this county is marked by moderate iron concentrations. Iron comes from the sand and gravel that make up the aquifer--as water moves slowly through these sediments over many years, it picks up iron from the rock. Iron is common across wells in Upton County.
Wells in Upton County have been found to contain fluoride, iron, manganese, nitrate, and uranium at levels above EPA health standards. Fluoride at elevated levels can cause dental fluorosis, which affects tooth development in children. Iron and manganese can build up in the body over time and affect the nervous system and organs. Nitrate and uranium both pose risks to kidney function and can be especially harmful to infants and young children.
Iron in county well water causes orange or brown staining on fixtures, laundry, and dishes. It can also create a metallic taste in drinking water and coffee. Manganese adds a dark brown or black stain and bitter taste. These minerals can reduce how long your water heater and dishwasher last because they build up inside the equipment.
We recommend testing your well water with a comprehensive panel to find out exactly what is in your water, since every well is different and yours could have higher or lower levels than the county average. Testing is the only way to know what you are actually dealing with so you can treat it properly. A comprehensive metals and minerals panel runs between two hundred and four hundred dollars. Iron and manganese can be reduced with water filters or water softeners designed for these specific problems.
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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Uranium | 43 | 37% | Moderate | High | |
| Iron | 169 | 22% | High | High | |
| Nitrate | 29 | 17% | Moderate | High | |
| Manganese | 151 | 13% | High | Moderate | |
| Fluoride | 391 | 1% | High | Low | |
| Arsenic | 139 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Lead | 137 | 0% | High | 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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