Groundwater in Edwards County contains sulfate, iron, and arsenic. Iron and sulfate exceed EPA health standards in this county, so well owners should test their water and consider treatment if levels are high.
These contaminants come from the rock layers beneath the county. The Edwards-Trinity aquifer system contains minerals that dissolve into groundwater as water passes through and around the rock. Iron and sulfate naturally occur in these layers, and arsenic can be present in certain zones of the aquifer.
Groundwater in Edwards County is very hard, driven by calcium and magnesium from the limestone and carbonate rock below. As water filters down through these rocks, it dissolves minerals that remain dissolved in the water. Very hard water is common across wells throughout this county.
Wells in Edwards County commonly have iron and sulfate at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Iron in drinking water can cause problems with your blood's ability to carry oxygen, especially in young children and pregnant women. Sulfate can affect the digestive system and cause diarrhea in some people, particularly in infants and those not used to it.
The very hard water in this county creates real problems around the house. You will see white or rust-colored buildup on faucets, in showers, and on glassware. Hard water makes soap work poorly, so you use more shampoo and detergent. It can shorten the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers because of mineral scale buildup inside the appliances.
We recommend testing your well water to find out what you actually have. Every well is different, and yours could have higher or lower levels than what is common in the county. Testing is the only way to know what treatment your water needs. A comprehensive minerals and metals panel typically costs between two hundred and four hundred dollars and can show you exactly what is present.
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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sulfate | 5 | 40% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Iron | 105 | 2% | High | Low | |
| Arsenic | 96 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Chloride | 5 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Fluoride | 181 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Lead | 97 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Manganese | 97 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrate | 23 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrite | 4 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Radon | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Uranium | 33 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| E. coli | 1* | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 5 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| pH | 5 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 5 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Total Coliform | 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.
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