Groundwater in Dallam County contains arsenic, fluoride, iron, manganese, nitrate, radon, and uranium at levels that exceed EPA health standards. These contaminants appear in amounts serious enough that well owners should test their water and consider treatment options.
These contaminants come from the rocks and soil layers in the High Plains aquifer beneath the county. Arsenic and uranium occur naturally in the rock formation, while radon seeps into groundwater from radioactive minerals in the stone above. Nitrate gets added from agricultural fertilizer and animal waste that seep down from the land surface into the water below.
Groundwater in this county is very hard, driven by elevated calcium and magnesium from limestone and mineral-rich rocks in the aquifer. The High Plains aquifer contains rocks that release these minerals as water moves through them over time. Very hard water is the most common characteristic found across wells throughout Dallam County.
Wells in Dallam County have been found to contain arsenic, fluoride, uranium, radon, nitrate, iron, and manganese at levels above EPA health standards. Arsenic and uranium are linked to cancer risk and kidney damage with long-term exposure. Radon increases lung cancer risk when breathed in from water. Fluoride at high levels can affect bone and teeth health. Nitrate is especially harmful to babies and can interfere with how blood carries oxygen.
The very hard water in this county's wells creates practical challenges for daily life. Hard water leaves white scale buildup on fixtures, faucets, and inside pipes. It can shorten the lifespan of water heaters, dishwashers, and other appliances. You may notice spots on dishes and glassware, and soap and shampoo don't work as well. The water may have a bitter or salty taste from dissolved minerals.
We recommend testing your well water through a certified lab to find out exactly what is in it. Every well is different, and your water could have higher or lower levels than the county average. Testing is the only way to know what needs treatment in your specific well. A comprehensive panel that checks for metals, minerals, bacteria, and chemicals typically costs $200 to $400 and can guide you toward solutions like filtration, reverse osmosis, or aeration systems.
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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Radon | 5 | 20% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Uranium | 80 | 9% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Iron | 281 | 6% | High | Moderate | |
| Nitrate | 61 | 5% | Moderate |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Fluoride | 479 | 4% | High |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Manganese | 259 | 2% | High | Low | |
| Arsenic | 235 | 1% | High | Low | |
| Chloride | 15 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 2 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Lead | 222 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Nitrite | 15 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 2 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 2 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 2 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 2 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 15 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Total Coliform | 1* | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 15 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| pH | 15 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 2 | — | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 15 | — | Moderate | 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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