Groundwater in Val Verde County contains arsenic, chloride, fluoride, iron, manganese, nitrate, radon, and sulfate. Several of these contaminants exceed EPA health standards, making them a concern for well owners in this area.
These contaminants come from the rock formations beneath the county and from human activities on the land above. The underlying rocks release minerals like arsenic, sulfate, and fluoride naturally into the water. Nitrate comes from fertilizer and septic systems in areas where people live and farm. Radon seeps from radioactive elements in the rock itself.
Groundwater in Val Verde County is very hard, driven by high levels of calcium and magnesium dissolved from the limestone and other mineral-rich rocks below. Sulfate also contributes to the water's mineral character. These minerals are widespread across wells throughout the county because the underlying geology delivers them consistently into the groundwater.
Wells in Val Verde County show contamination with arsenic, chloride, fluoride, iron, manganese, nitrate, radon, and sulfate at levels above EPA health standards. Arsenic builds up in your body over time and can cause cancer and organ damage. Radon is a radioactive gas that increases lung cancer risk. Nitrate is especially dangerous for infants and can prevent their blood from carrying oxygen. Manganese can harm your brain and nervous system with long-term exposure.
The very hard water in county wells leaves scale buildup on fixtures and inside pipes, causes soap to work poorly, and can make your skin feel sticky after showering. Iron and sulfate create stains on laundry and plumbing fixtures that are hard to remove. The sulfate can give water a bitter or medicinal taste. Very hard water also wears out water heaters and dishwashers faster than normal water.
Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your well, since every well is different and yours could have higher or lower levels than the county average. We recommend a comprehensive testing panel because multiple analytes exceed health standards in this area. A comprehensive metals and minerals panel runs between two hundred and four hundred dollars. Water softeners can help with hardness, and specific filters can remove arsenic or radon depending on what your test shows.
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 | 2 | 100% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Iron | 217 | 7% | High | Moderate | |
| Sulfate | 237 | 7% | High | Moderate | |
| Chloride | 302 | 4% | High |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Nitrate | 65 | 2% | Moderate | Low | |
| Manganese | 176 | 1% | High | Low | |
| Arsenic | 172 | 1% | High | Low | |
| Fluoride | 408 | 0% | High | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Lead | 172 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Nitrite | 19 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Uranium | 35 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Sodium | 237 | — | High | Low | |
| pH | 302 | — | High | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 8 | — | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 303 | — | High | Low | |
| E. coli | 1* | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Total Coliform | 1* | 0% | Low | 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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