Groundwater in Cameron County contains arsenic, manganese, and iron that exceed EPA health standards. These contaminant levels are concerning and warrant testing and treatment attention.
The Pennsylvanian rock beneath Cameron County naturally releases these metals into groundwater. As water sits in the fractured sandstone and shale layers, low-oxygen conditions cause iron and manganese to dissolve from the surrounding rock, while arsenic exists in certain dark minerals within the bedrock itself.
Groundwater in this county is soft, with iron being the most notable mineral character. Iron dissolves naturally from the coal-bearing Pennsylvanian bedrock, and this characteristic is widespread across wells in the county.
Wells in Cameron County commonly exceed EPA health standards for arsenic, chloride, iron, and manganese. Arsenic can increase cancer risk and cause organ damage with long-term exposure. Chloride and manganese at elevated levels can harm kidney and brain function. Iron at high levels may affect blood health and organ systems.
Wells in this county show moderate iron levels that can leave orange-brown stains on sinks, toilets, and laundry. You may notice a metallic or bitter taste in the water. The county's water is relatively soft, so you won't see heavy scale buildup like in harder water areas.
We recommend testing your well water because every well is different, and your well may 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 metals panel typically costs $200-400 and would screen for all the contaminants of concern. Iron and manganese can be treated with aeration systems or specialized filters.
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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arsenic | 2 | 50% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Manganese | 16 | 38% | Moderate | High | |
| Iron | 20 | 35% | Moderate | High | |
| Chloride | 24 | 8% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Fluoride | 13 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Nitrite | 3 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Radon | 2 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Uranium | 2 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Lead | 5 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Nitrate | 22 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 4 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 4 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 24 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 8 | — | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| pH | 21 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Sodium | 21 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Hardness | 24 | — | 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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