Well owners in Gaines County need to know about arsenic, fluoride, sulfate, uranium, nitrate, chloride, iron, and manganese in their groundwater. Several of these contaminants exceed EPA health standards at concerning levels.
These contaminants come from the rock layers beneath the county. Arsenic, uranium, and fluoride occur naturally in the sand and gravel that make up the aquifer. Nitrate enters from fertilizer applied to farmland and from septic systems. Chloride and sulfate concentrate in the groundwater because water moving through the rock dissolves these minerals and they stay in solution.
Groundwater in Gaines County is very hard, driven by elevated calcium and magnesium, along with high sodium and sulfate. The sandy aquifer rock releases these minerals as water flows through it over time. These mineral-rich conditions are widespread across wells in the county.
Gaines County wells commonly exceed EPA health standards for arsenic, uranium, nitrate, fluoride, chloride, and manganese. Arsenic and uranium are radioactive elements that can damage kidneys and increase disease risk over time. Nitrate poses special danger to infants and can interfere with how the body uses oxygen. Fluoride at elevated levels can affect bone and tooth development. Manganese can harm the nervous system with long-term exposure.
The very hard water in this county leaves white scale buildup on fixtures and inside pipes. Iron creates rust-colored stains on sinks, toilets, and laundry. High sodium and sulfate levels give water a bitter or salty taste and unpleasant odor. Hard water makes soap and shampoo less effective and shortens the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers.
Every well in Gaines County is different, and your well could have higher or lower levels than what is common here. Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your water so proper treatment can be designed. We recommend a comprehensive metals and minerals panel, which typically costs between two hundred and four hundred dollars. Treatment options like reverse osmosis systems or ion exchange softeners can address multiple concerns at once.
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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arsenic | 217 | 76% | High | High | |
| Fluoride | 1104 | 51% | High | High | |
| Sulfate | 19 | 37% | Moderate | High | |
| Chloride | 19 | 32% | Moderate | High | |
| Nitrate | 62 | 11% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Iron | 268 | 9% | High | Moderate | |
| Uranium | 75 | 4% | Moderate |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Manganese | 253 | 1% | High | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 6 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Lead | 215 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Nitrite | 20 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 6 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 6 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 6 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 6 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Radon | 5 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| E. coli | 1* | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 19 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 6 | — | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| pH | 20 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Sodium | 19 | — | Moderate | 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.
Order a Tap Score Test →Population-level CDC data. Not individual risk prediction.
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