Groundwater in Burnet County contains chloride, iron, nitrate, fluoride, lead, and manganese. Several of these contaminants are present at levels that exceed EPA health standards, which is a concern that well owners should take seriously.
These contaminants come from a mix of sources. Chloride and nitrate often enter groundwater from road salt, fertilizers, and septic systems in areas with human activity. Iron, manganese, lead, and fluoride occur naturally in the rock and soil layers underground and dissolve into water as it moves through them. The bedrock in this area contains minerals that release these elements into the water supply.
Groundwater in Burnet County is very hard, driven by elevated calcium and magnesium from the limestone and other rock layers below the surface. Hard water forms because rainwater filters through limestone and other calcium-rich rocks, which dissolve and add minerals to the water as it moves deeper underground. Most wells in this county show this very hard water character, though the specific level varies from well to well.
Wells in Burnet County have been found with levels of chloride, fluoride, iron, lead, manganese, and nitrate that exceed EPA health standards. Lead exposure can harm children's brain development and cause learning problems. Fluoride at elevated levels can affect bone and teeth development. Manganese in high amounts can damage the nervous system. Nitrate exposure in infants can interfere with oxygen in the blood. Chloride itself is not a direct health threat but indicates the water chemistry of your area.
County well water is very hard, which means you will likely see white scale buildup on faucets and fixtures, staining from iron in sinks and toilets, and reduced lather from soap. Hard water reduces how long water heaters and dishwashers last. You may notice a metallic taste or odor from the iron content. Bathing and laundry may feel different than soft water.
We recommend testing your well with a comprehensive panel since several contaminants exceed health standards in this county. Testing costs between $200 and $400 and is the only way to know what is actually in your water so you can treat it correctly. Every well is different--yours could have higher or lower levels than what is common here. Treatment options like water softeners, iron filters, or activated carbon can address multiple concerns depending on 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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chloride | 11 | 9% | Low | Moderate | |
| Iron | 181 | 8% | High | Moderate | |
| Nitrate | 37 | 5% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Manganese | 173 | 5% | High | Moderate | |
| Fluoride | 292 | 1% | High | Low | |
| Lead | 135 | 1% | High | Low | |
| Arsenic | 140 | 0% | High | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 11 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| Nitrite | 11 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 11 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 11 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 11 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 11 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| Radon | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 11 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| Uranium | 85 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Total Coliform | 1* | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 11 | — | Low | Low | |
| pH | 11 | — | Low | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 11 | — | Low | Low | |
| Hardness | 11 | — | Low | Low | |
| E. coli | 1* | 0% | 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.
Loading recent water news…