Groundwater in Briscoe County contains arsenic, fluoride, and iron at levels that exceed health standards set by the EPA. These contaminants are present at concentrations serious enough to warrant awareness and testing.
The High Plains aquifer underlying this county naturally contains arsenic and fluoride in its rock and sediment layers. Iron enters the water as it moves through sand and gravel deposits. These three metals are common across the High Plains region in West Texas.
Groundwater in this county is very hard, with elevated calcium and magnesium from the rock below, alongside high sodium and moderate sulfate. The local rock naturally contains these dissolved minerals, and as water sits in contact with the aquifer for years, it picks up more salt and hardness. Very hard water with high sodium is the standard across wells in Briscoe County.
Wells in Briscoe County commonly exceed EPA health standards for arsenic, fluoride, lead, and manganese. Arsenic can harm the kidneys and increase cancer risk with long-term exposure. Fluoride at elevated levels can affect bone health and tooth development in children. Lead damages the brain and nervous system, especially in young children, and can lower IQ. Manganese at high levels can affect the nervous system and cause problems with movement and learning.
Wells in this county are very hard, with high sodium levels and moderate sulfate. Hard water leaves white crusty scale on fixtures, faucets, and inside pipes. It makes soap less effective and can leave spots on dishes and laundry. The hardness can shorten the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers. You may also notice a salty or metallic taste in your water.
We recommend testing your well water with a comprehensive metals and minerals panel to see what is actually in it, since every well is different and yours may have higher or lower levels than what is common in the county. Testing costs between $200 and $400 and is the only way to know what treatment your well needs. Water softeners and filters designed for arsenic, lead, or manganese removal can address specific concerns once testing reveals your 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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fluoride | 190 | 34% | High | High | |
| Arsenic | 66 | 26% | Moderate | High | |
| Iron | 107 | 21% | High | High | |
| Manganese | 97 | 2% | Moderate | Low | |
| Lead | 62 | 2% | Moderate | Low | |
| Chloride | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Nitrate | 7 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Nitrite | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Radon | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Uranium | 16 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Sodium | 1 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| pH | 1 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 1 | — | Low | 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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