Groundwater in Walker County contains arsenic, iron, manganese, radon, and PFOA and PFOS. Several of these contaminants exceed EPA health standards and warrant attention.
The Texas coastal uplands aquifer system here sits above and within rocks that naturally release iron, manganese, and arsenic as groundwater slowly moves through them. Radon comes from radioactive minerals in the bedrock. PFOA and PFOS are human-made chemicals that have entered some wells through industrial or historical land uses.
Groundwater in this county is moderately hard, driven mainly by elevated sodium and moderate iron. Water moving through the local rock layers picks up sodium naturally, and iron dissolves from the minerals surrounding the aquifer. These mineral characteristics are widespread across wells in Walker County.
Wells in Walker County commonly exceed EPA health standards for arsenic, iron, manganese, PFOA, PFOS, and radon. Arsenic can damage your kidneys and liver over time and raises cancer risk. Iron and manganese are metals that dissolve from rock underground. At elevated levels, manganese can affect how your brain works, especially in children. PFOA and PFOS are industrial chemicals that build up in your body and can harm your immune system and thyroid. Radon is a radioactive gas that increases lung cancer risk when you breathe it in over years.
County well water shows moderate iron levels and high sodium, which create noticeable problems at home. Iron leaves rust-colored stains on laundry, dishes, and bathroom fixtures. You might notice a metallic or bitter taste in your water. The high sodium can make water taste salty and affects how soap works when you shower or do laundry. Moderately hard water can shorten the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers by building up scale inside.
Since multiple contaminants exceed health standards in this county, we recommend a comprehensive water test that checks metals, minerals, and radon. Every well is different, and yours could have higher or lower levels than what is common here. Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your water so you can treat it properly. A comprehensive panel typically costs between $200 and $400. Treatment options like activated carbon filters or water softeners can address different concerns based on your 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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Radon | 1 | 100% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 13 | 46% | Low | High | |
| Manganese | 81 | 43% | Moderate | High | |
| Iron | 117 | 16% | High | High | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 13 | 15% | Low | High | |
| Arsenic | 70 | 3% | Moderate | Low | |
| Chloride | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Fluoride | 110 | 0% | High | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 13 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| Lead | 68 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrate | 7 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Nitrite | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 13 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 13 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| Sulfate | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Uranium | 24 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Sodium | 2 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| pH | 4 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 13 | — | Low | Low | |
| Hardness | 3 | — | Low | 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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