Groundwater in Brazoria County contains arsenic, chloride, iron, lead, manganese, PFOS, and sulfate. Several of these contaminants exceed EPA health standards, making testing important for well owners in this area.
These contaminants come from both natural sources and human activity. The coastal lowlands geology here contains naturally occurring metals like iron, manganese, and arsenic dissolved from underground rock layers. Saltwater from the nearby Gulf of Mexico has moved inland over time, raising chloride levels in some wells. Industrial activity, oil and gas operations, and urban development have also contributed to contamination in certain areas.
Groundwater in this county is hard and contains elevated iron and very high sodium from minerals dissolved out of the rock and soil. The flat coastal terrain and fine-grained sediment layers allow water to stay in contact with these minerals for long periods, dissolving them into the supply. These characteristics are widespread across wells throughout the county.
Brazoria County wells show arsenic, lead, and PFOS at levels above EPA health standards. Arsenic builds up in your body over time and can damage your kidneys and increase cancer risk. Lead harms children's brain development and learning. PFOS is a chemical that can affect your immune system and cholesterol levels. Manganese and chloride also exceed standards in some county wells and can affect health with long-term exposure.
Hard water is common in this county, and high sodium makes it even harder to manage. The hard water leaves white scale buildup on faucets, shower heads, and inside pipes. You may see orange or brown staining from iron on sinks and laundry. This hard water can shorten the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers. The high sodium content means the water may taste salty or bitter.
Every well is different, and your well 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 it can be properly treated. We recommend a comprehensive metals and minerals panel, which typically costs between $200 and $400. Water softeners or reverse osmosis systems can help reduce hardness and remove certain contaminants.
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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manganese | 247 | 46% | High | High | |
| Chloride | 457 | 39% | High | High | |
| Iron | 311 | 38% | High | High | |
| Arsenic | 180 | 11% | High | Moderate | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 136 | 1% | High | Low | |
| Lead | 177 | 1% | High | Low | |
| Sulfate | 386 | 1% | High | Low | |
| Fluoride | 467 | 0% | High | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 136 | 0% | High | Safe | |
| Nitrate | 100 | 0% | High | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 136 | 0% | High | Low | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 136 | 0% | High | Safe | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 136 | 0% | High | Safe | |
| Uranium | 43 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Sodium | 229 | — | High | Low | |
| pH | 213 | — | High | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 136 | — | High | Low | |
| Hardness | 328 | — | 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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