Groundwater in Brazoria County contains manganese, chloride, iron, arsenic, lead, PFOS, and sulfate at levels that exceed EPA health standards. These are concerning contaminants that well owners should test for and monitor in their drinking water.
The coastal plain where this county sits has layers of sand, clay, and silt deposited over time by ancient rivers and seas. Saltwater intrusion from the Gulf of Mexico and industrial activity in this heavily developed area push chloride and other dissolved minerals into the groundwater. Arsenic and other metals naturally occur in the sediment layers, and manganese and iron leach into water as it moves through these materials.
Groundwater in Brazoria County is hard and contains elevated sodium, iron, and manganese. Hard water comes from calcium and magnesium in the sediment, while iron and manganese are released as water passes through layers of rock and soil in this coastal aquifer system. These mineral characteristics show up across many wells throughout the county.
Wells in Brazoria County have been found to contain arsenic, lead, and PFOS at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Arsenic can damage your organs and increase cancer risk over time. Lead harms the brain and nervous system, especially in children. PFOS is a chemical that builds up in your body and can affect your immune system and liver. Manganese and chloride also show up at high levels in county wells and can cause health problems.
The water in this county tends to be hard and very high in sodium, which creates practical problems for your home. Hard water leaves scale buildup on fixtures, pipes, and inside water heaters and dishwashers, which shortens how long these appliances last. You may notice rust stains on sinks and laundry from iron. High sodium can affect the taste of your water and is a concern for people on salt-restricted diets.
We recommend testing your well with a comprehensive panel since several analytes exceed health standards in this county. Every well is different -- 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 metals and minerals panel costs between $200 and $400. Treatment options like reverse osmosis, ion exchange softening, or activated carbon can address different 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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