Groundwater in El Paso County contains radon, arsenic, chloride, fluoride, lead, nitrate, and other contaminants at levels that exceed federal health standards. These are serious concerns that well owners should take seriously and address through testing and treatment.
The rock layers beneath El Paso County naturally contain arsenic and radon, which dissolve into groundwater as it moves through the ground. Salt deposits and mineral-rich rocks add chloride and sulfate to the water. Human activities like agriculture and urban development increase nitrate and other contaminants that seep down into the water supply.
Groundwater in this county is hard and elevated in sodium and sulfate, driven by minerals from the surrounding rock. These minerals are common throughout the region because the rock naturally contains salt and mineral deposits. Most wells in El Paso County show these hard-water and high-sodium characteristics.
Wells in El Paso County have been found to exceed EPA health standards for arsenic, lead, fluoride, nitrate, radon, and PFOA and PFOS chemicals. Arsenic and lead damage organs over time and raise cancer risk. Radon is a radioactive gas that increases lung cancer risk when breathed in your home. Nitrate harms infants and people with certain health conditions. PFOA and PFOS are industrial chemicals linked to health problems with the liver, immune system, and thyroid.
Hard water in this county's wells leaves scale buildup on fixtures and inside pipes, which shortens the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers. You may notice staining on sinks and bathtubs, and soap and shampoo work less well. The water often has a salty or mineral taste because of high sodium and sulfate levels. Iron in the water can create reddish stains on laundry and plumbing fixtures.
We recommend a comprehensive water test because many analytes exceed health standards in this county's wells. Every well 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. A comprehensive metals and minerals panel typically costs between two hundred and four hundred dollars and will tell you exactly what you are dealing with. Water softeners can help with hardness, and activated carbon or reverse osmosis systems address some chemical contaminants.
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 | 18 | 33% | Moderate | High ⓘ | |
| Arsenic | 473 | 31% | High | High | |
| Chloride | 376 | 26% | High | High | |
| Manganese | 739 | 24% | High | High | |
| Iron | 964 | 14% | High | Moderate | |
| Sulfate | 376 | 13% | High | Moderate | |
| Lead | 447 | 5% | High | Moderate | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 95 | 3% | Moderate |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 95 | 1% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrate | 162 | 1% | High | Low | |
| Fluoride | 4423 | 0% | High | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 95 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Nitrite | 164 | 0% | High | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 95 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 95 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Uranium | 75 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Hardness | 375 | — | High | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 95 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| pH | 395 | — | High | Low | |
| Sodium | 355 | — | High | 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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