Groundwater in Concho County contains chloride, sulfate, nitrate, and fluoride at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Iron also exceeds the health standard, though at low concentrations. These contaminants show up across the county at concerning levels and deserve attention from well owners.
The rock below Concho County naturally contains high amounts of salt and sulfate minerals. As water moves through these rocks underground, it dissolves and picks up these minerals. Nitrate can come from fertilizer use and livestock operations on the land above, which seeps down into the groundwater.
Groundwater in this county is very hard, driven by extremely high sulfate and sodium from the rock below. The underlying rock releases these minerals readily into water that passes through it. Most wells in the county show this same pattern of very hard water with high salt and sulfate content.
Wells in Concho County commonly have chloride, fluoride, iron, nitrate, and sulfate at levels above EPA health standards. Chloride and sulfate at high levels can cause digestive problems and may affect people with certain health conditions. Nitrate is especially concerning for infants and young children, as it interferes with how blood carries oxygen. Fluoride at elevated levels can cause dental and skeletal damage, particularly in children whose teeth are still developing.
County well water tends to be extremely hard, with very high sodium and sulfate levels that create noticeable everyday problems. You may see reddish or brownish staining on fixtures and laundry. Hard water leaves scale buildup on pipes and appliances, which can shorten the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers. The water may have a salty taste or unpleasant odor from the sulfate.
Every well in the county is different, and your water could have higher or lower levels than what is common here. Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your well so you can treat it properly. We recommend a comprehensive water panel that checks metals, minerals, and bacteria, which typically costs two hundred to four hundred dollars. Treatment options like reverse osmosis systems or water softeners can address multiple concerns at once.
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 | 3 | 100% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 1 | 100% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Nitrate | 8 | 50% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Iron | 50 | 12% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Fluoride | 232 | 1% | High | Low | |
| Arsenic | 30 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 4 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Lead | 29 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Manganese | 42 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 4 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 4 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 4 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 4 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Uranium | 7 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 1 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| pH | 1 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 4 | — | 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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