Groundwater in Dallam County contains arsenic, fluoride, iron, manganese, nitrate, radon, and uranium. Several of these contaminants exceed EPA health standards, making testing and awareness important for well owners in this area.
These contaminants come from two sources. Radon and uranium occur naturally in the rock layers beneath the county. Arsenic, iron, manganese, and nitrate dissolve from the surrounding stone as water moves slowly underground, and nitrate also enters from agricultural land use on the surface.
Groundwater in this county is very hard, driven by dissolved calcium and magnesium from the rock below. The High Plains aquifer's composition creates these mineral-rich conditions across much of the region. Most wells in Dallam County show this same very hard water character.
Several contaminants show up at levels that exceed EPA health standards in wells across Dallam County. Arsenic, fluoride, uranium, and radon are radioactive or toxic metals that can harm your health with long-term exposure. Nitrate is another concern, especially risky for babies and young children. Manganese affects how your body processes certain functions, while high fluoride can cause dental issues.
The very hard water in this county leaves white, crusty scale on faucets, shower heads, and inside pipes. You might notice staining from iron buildup, and some people report a salty or mineral taste. This extreme hardness shortens the lifespan of water heaters, dishwashers, and other appliances, and it makes soap less effective for cleaning.
Your well is unique, so testing is the best way to know what's actually in your water. We recommend a comprehensive metals and minerals panel, which typically costs between $200 and $400. A treatment professional can then design a system suited to your specific water, whether that involves reverse osmosis, specialized filters, or water softening.
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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