Groundwater in Bastrop County contains iron, manganese, sulfate, chloride, lead, and nitrate at levels that exceed EPA health standards. These contaminants are present at concerning concentrations that well owners should address.
The rock layers beneath Bastrop County naturally contain iron and manganese, which dissolve into groundwater as water moves through the ground. Saltwater intrusion from deeper layers and agricultural nitrate runoff from the land surface add chloride, lead, and nitrate to wells. Sulfate comes from the natural minerals in the bedrock and from human activity on the land above.
Groundwater in this county is very hard, driven by elevated calcium and magnesium from the minerals in the rock below, and it also carries high levels of iron and sodium. These minerals dissolve naturally as water sits in contact with the surrounding rock over time. Most wells in Bastrop County show these hard-water and elevated-iron characteristics.
Wells in Bastrop County commonly exceed EPA health standards for chloride, iron, lead, manganese, nitrate, and sulfate. Lead exposure harms children's brain development and learning. Nitrate is dangerous for babies and can cause serious illness. Manganese affects the nervous system with long-term exposure. High chloride and sulfate levels add to the overall contamination burden in county water.
The very hard water in this county's wells leaves tough stains on fixtures and dishes. Scale builds up inside water heaters and dishwashers, shortening how long these appliances last. You may notice rust-colored staining from iron or a rotten-egg smell from sulfate. The high sodium content can affect the taste of your water and is a concern for people watching their salt intake.
We recommend testing your well water with a comprehensive panel to see what you are actually dealing with. Every well is different, and yours could have higher or lower levels than what is common here. A full metals and minerals panel costs between $200 and $400 and is the only way to know what needs treatment. Water softeners, iron filters, and reverse osmosis systems can address multiple concerns depending 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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iron | 561 | 48% | High | High | |
| Manganese | 248 | 30% | High | High | |
| Sulfate | 220 | 17% | High | High | |
| Chloride | 226 | 12% | High | Moderate | |
| Nitrate | 214 | 4% | High |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Lead | 124 | 1% | High | Low | |
| Arsenic | 144 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Fluoride | 530 | 0% | High | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 39 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Nitrite | 16 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 39 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 39 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 39 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 39 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Radon | 5 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Uranium | 40 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Sodium | 194 | — | High | Low | |
| pH | 186 | — | High | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 39 | — | Moderate | Safe | |
| Hardness | 224 | — | 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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