Groundwater in Callahan County contains fluoride, iron, manganese, nitrate, and two chemicals called PFOS and PFHXS at levels that exceed federal health standards. Several wells show concerning amounts of these contaminants, particularly the fluoride and manganese.
These contaminants come from different sources. Fluoride, manganese, and iron occur naturally in the rock and soil here and dissolve into groundwater over time. Nitrate and the PFOS and PFHXS chemicals enter the water from human activities -- fertilizer use on farms and land, and industrial or commercial products that have leaked or been disposed of in the area.
Groundwater in this county is very hard, driven by high levels of calcium and magnesium from the rock below. The hardness is a natural result of water sitting in contact with minerals in the ground for many years. Most wells in Callahan County show this same very hard water character.
Wells in Callahan County show elevated levels of fluoride, iron, manganese, nitrate, and PFAS chemicals (PFOA, PFOS, and PFHXS) compared to EPA health standards. Fluoride at high levels can affect bone and tooth health, especially in children. Manganese can harm the brain and nervous system with long-term exposure. Nitrate is dangerous for infants and can interfere with how blood carries oxygen. PFAS chemicals build up in your body over time and have been linked to health problems including liver damage and immune system effects.
The county's water is extremely hard, which means you'll see white crusty buildup on faucets, shower heads, and pipes. Your appliances like water heaters and dishwashers will wear out faster because of the mineral scale inside them. Hard water makes soap less effective for cleaning and laundry. You might notice a slightly salty taste from the moderate sodium levels in the water.
We recommend testing your well with a comprehensive panel to see what you actually have, since every well is different and yours could have higher or lower levels than the county average. Testing is the only way to know what needs treatment. A comprehensive metals and minerals panel runs between $200 and $400. Depending on results, treatment options include water softeners for hardness and special filters designed to remove PFAS and other 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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 14 | 36% | Low | High | |
| Manganese | 25 | 28% | Moderate | High | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 14 | 21% | Low | High | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 14 | 21% | Low | High | |
| Nitrate | 10 | 20% | Low | High | |
| Iron | 33 | 6% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Fluoride | 361 | 1% | High | Low | |
| Arsenic | 17 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Chloride | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 14 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| Lead | 17 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrite | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 14 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| Radon | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Uranium | 5 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Total Coliform | 1* | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 1 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| pH | 1 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 14 | — | Low | Low | |
| 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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