Groundwater in Uvalde County contains chloride, fluoride, iron, lead, manganese, nitrate, radon, and sulfate. Multiple contaminants exceed EPA health standards and require your attention.
These contaminants come from several sources. Radon seeps naturally from radioactive elements in the rock beneath the county. Chloride, sulfate, and fluoride dissolve from the local rock formations as water moves through them. Nitrate enters from agricultural land use and septic systems. Lead can come from natural deposits in the rock or corroded pipes.
Groundwater in this county is very hard, driven by elevated calcium and magnesium from the rock layers below. The same rock formations that contain these minerals also contribute sulfate and other dissolved solids that accumulate in the water. Very hard water is common across wells throughout the county.
Wells in Uvalde County commonly exceed EPA health standards for several contaminants. Chloride, fluoride, lead, and nitrate can harm your health at elevated levels. Radon is a radioactive gas that increases cancer risk over time. Manganese and iron at high levels can affect your nervous system and organs. These contaminants reach concerning concentrations in many county wells.
County wells are extremely hard, which causes visible problems in your home. Hard water leaves white scale buildup on fixtures, in pipes, and on dishes. It makes soap less effective for cleaning and can leave your laundry feeling stiff. The extreme hardness here shortens the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers. You may also notice a metallic taste in your water.
We recommend a comprehensive metals and minerals panel to test your well, since multiple contaminants exceed health standards. Every well is different--yours could have higher or lower levels than what is common in the county. Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your water so it can be properly treated. A comprehensive panel typically costs $200 to $400. Water softeners and radon removal systems are treatment options worth exploring based on your test results.
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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sulfate | 489 | 12% | High | Moderate | |
| Chloride | 492 | 9% | High | Moderate | |
| Radon | 26 | 4% | Moderate |
Moderate
ⓘ
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Iron | 526 | 3% | High |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Nitrate | 318 | 3% | High | Low | |
| Manganese | 491 | 1% | High | Low | |
| Fluoride | 704 | 1% | High | Low | |
| Lead | 443 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Arsenic | 579 | 0% | High | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 17 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Nitrite | 239 | 0% | High | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 17 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 17 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 17 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 17 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Uranium | 129 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Hardness | 485 | — | High | Low | |
| Total Coliform | 12* | 0% | Low | Low | |
| E. coli | 12* | 0% | Low | Low | |
| Sodium | 341 | — | High | Low | |
| pH | 491 | — | High | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 17 | — | Moderate | Safe |
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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