Collin County groundwater contains iron, manganese, nitrate, arsenic, and fluoride in amounts that exceed EPA health standards. These contaminants are present at levels serious enough that well owners need to know about them and consider testing and treatment.
The bedrock and soils in this county naturally contain iron and manganese minerals that dissolve into groundwater as water moves through the rock layers. Nitrate comes from fertilizers used on farms and urban yards, as well as from septic systems and animal waste. Arsenic and fluoride occur naturally in the local rocks and become part of the groundwater as it flows through them.
Groundwater in this county is moderately high in iron, which comes from the natural iron content in the bedrock and soil layers here. The iron dissolves as water passes through these materials underground. Many wells across Collin County show this elevated iron character.
Wells in Collin County sometimes contain arsenic, fluoride, iron, manganese, nitrate, and PFOS at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Arsenic can damage your kidneys and increase cancer risk with long-term exposure. Fluoride at high levels can cause dental and skeletal problems. Nitrate is especially dangerous for infants and can interfere with how blood carries oxygen. Manganese can affect brain development in children. PFOS is a chemical that builds up in your body and may weaken your immune system.
Iron and manganese in county well water create staining on sinks, toilets, and laundry that is hard to remove. These minerals can also make water taste metallic and look discolored or cloudy. Iron buildup can shorten the lifespan of water heaters and other appliances over time.
We recommend testing your well water with a comprehensive panel since multiple contaminants exceed health standards in this county. Every well is different--your water could have higher or lower levels than what is common here. Testing is the only way to know exactly what is in your well so you can treat it properly. A comprehensive metals and minerals panel typically costs between two hundred and four hundred dollars. Treatment options like reverse osmosis or activated carbon filters can address many of these 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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iron | 197 | 20% | High | High | |
| Nitrate | 27 | 7% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Manganese | 123 | 2% | High | Low | |
| Arsenic | 69 | 1% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 116 | 1% | High | Low | |
| Fluoride | 278 | 1% | High | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 116 | 0% | High | Safe | |
| Lead | 63 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 116 | 0% | High | Low | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 116 | 0% | High | Safe | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 116 | 0% | High | Safe | |
| Uranium | 7 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 116 | — | 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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