Groundwater in Bosque County contains arsenic, fluoride, iron, lead, and manganese at levels that exceed EPA health standards. These contaminants are present at concentrations serious enough that well owners should have their water tested and consider treatment options.
These metals and minerals come from the rock layers underground in this region. The various rock types that make up the aquifer naturally contain these elements, and as water moves through the ground over time, it dissolves them and carries them into wells. Human activities like old waste disposal or mining can also add to these contaminants in some areas.
Groundwater in this county is characterized by high sodium and moderate iron and sulfate content. The rock layers here release sodium naturally as water flows through them, and iron comes from minerals in the surrounding stone. These mineral characteristics are common across many wells throughout the county, though individual well results vary.
Wells in Bosque County sometimes contain arsenic, fluoride, iron, lead, and manganese above EPA health standards. Arsenic can damage your kidneys and increase cancer risk over time. Fluoride at high levels can cause dental problems and bone damage. Lead harms children's brain development and causes learning problems. Manganese affects the nervous system and can impact thinking and movement.
High sodium in county wells shows up in your tap water and can taste salty. The iron and manganese can stain your laundry, dishes, and fixtures orange or brown. You might notice a metallic taste or smell in your water. The water here is relatively soft, so you won't deal with heavy scale buildup.
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 what is common in the county. We recommend a comprehensive panel that checks for metals and minerals, which costs between two hundred and four hundred dollars. Iron and manganese filters, or arsenic removal systems, are treatment options that can help depending on what testing 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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iron | 262 | 16% | High | High | |
| Lead | 73 | 5% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Fluoride | 395 | 5% | High |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Arsenic | 69 | 1% | Moderate | Low | |
| Manganese | 211 | 1% | High | Low | |
| Chloride | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 12 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| Nitrate | 47 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrite | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 12 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 12 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 12 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 12 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| Radon | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Uranium | 15 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Total Coliform | 1* | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 1 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| pH | 1 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 12 | — | Low | Safe | |
| Hardness | 1 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| E. coli | 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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