Groundwater in Collingsworth County contains arsenic, iron, manganese, and nitrate at levels exceeding EPA health standards. These contaminants are present at concentrations your well owner should address through testing and potential treatment.
Nitrate enters groundwater from agricultural fertilizers and livestock activity common across the Texas Panhandle. Arsenic, iron, and manganese come naturally from the sandy and gravelly layers of the High Plains aquifer. As water moves slowly through this underground material, it dissolves these metals and picks up nitrogen compounds that have seeped down from the land surface.
Groundwater in this county is characterized by elevated iron and manganese from the aquifer's mineral composition. The sandy and gravelly rocks that make up the High Plains aquifer naturally contain these metals, which dissolve into water as it passes through. Iron and manganese are widespread across wells in this county, though individual well levels vary.
Wells in Collingsworth County commonly exceed EPA health standards for arsenic, iron, manganese, and nitrate. Arsenic can damage your kidneys and increase cancer risk with long-term exposure. Iron and manganese at elevated levels can harm your liver and nervous system. Nitrate is especially dangerous for infants and can prevent their blood from carrying oxygen properly.
County wells show elevated iron and manganese levels that create visible staining on clothes, fixtures, and plumbing. These minerals leave stubborn scale buildup on faucets and inside pipes. You may notice a metallic or unpleasant taste in your water. The mineral content here can also shorten the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers.
Your well could have more or less of these contaminants than what is common countywide. Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your water so it can be properly treated. We recommend a comprehensive metals and minerals panel, which typically costs between $200 and $400. Water softeners and iron removal systems are treatment options that work well for these concerns.
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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nitrate | 18 | 33% | Moderate | High | |
| Iron | 116 | 5% | High | Moderate | |
| Manganese | 112 | 4% | High |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Arsenic | 101 | 3% | High | Low | |
| Fluoride | 281 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Lead | 99 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Uranium | 40 | 0% | Moderate | 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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