Groundwater in Franklin County contains iron, manganese, and nitrate at levels that exceed EPA health standards. These are moderate concerns that well owners should monitor and address with appropriate treatment.
Iron and manganese come from the local rock itself--these metals naturally dissolve into groundwater as water moves slowly through the soil and stone layers below the surface. Nitrate typically enters groundwater from fertilizers and septic systems in areas with agriculture or scattered homes. All three contaminants are common in this part of Texas where the rock type allows them to accumulate.
Groundwater in this county is soft and relatively low in minerals overall, though iron is present at moderate levels. The rock here does not contain much limestone or other minerals that make water hard, so calcium and magnesium stay low in most wells. Most wells across Franklin County show this same soft water pattern, though iron levels vary from well to well.
Wells in Franklin County commonly have iron, manganese, and nitrate at levels above EPA health standards. Iron and manganese can cause problems with your blood and organs if you drink water with too much of them over a long time. Nitrate is especially concerning for babies and pregnant women, as it can interfere with how their bodies carry oxygen.
County well water tends to have moderate iron levels, which can leave reddish or brownish stains on your clothes, dishes, and bathroom fixtures. The iron and manganese can also make water taste metallic or look discolored when you first turn on the tap. The good news is that Franklin County's water is relatively soft, so you won't face the scale buildup and appliance damage that harder water causes.
We recommend testing your well water with a comprehensive metals and minerals panel, since multiple analytes exceed standards in this county. 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 panel typically costs between $200 and $400. Iron and manganese removal systems or whole-house filters can address these concerns.
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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iron | 34 | 18% | Moderate | High | |
| Nitrate | 30 | 13% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Manganese | 17 | 12% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Arsenic | 13 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| Chloride | 30 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Fluoride | 92 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Lead | 13 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 29 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Uranium | 3 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 29 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 8 | — | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| pH | 30 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Sodium | 29 | — | Moderate | 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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