Groundwater in Goliad County contains arsenic, chloride, and iron at levels that exceed EPA health standards. These contaminants are present at concerning amounts and warrant attention from well owners.
Arsenic, chloride, and iron occur naturally in the coastal lowlands rock beneath this county. As water moves through sand, clay, and mineral deposits, it dissolves these elements from the surrounding stone. The flat, low-lying coastal geology here creates conditions where these contaminants concentrate in groundwater over time.
Groundwater in this county is very hard, driven by elevated calcium and magnesium in the water. The coastal plain sediment and rock layers here contain minerals that dissolve easily into groundwater as water flows through them. These hard-water conditions are widespread across wells throughout the county.
Arsenic and chloride are the main contaminants exceeding EPA health standards in wells across Goliad County. Arsenic can damage your kidneys and increase cancer risk with long-term exposure. Chloride at elevated levels affects people on sodium-restricted diets and can harm those with certain health conditions.
Wells in this county have very hard water, which causes white scale buildup inside pipes, water heaters, and dishwashers. The high sodium content adds to water hardness and can leave a salty taste. Hard water of this severity can shorten the lifespan of appliances like water heaters and dishwashers by years.
Since every well is different and your water could have higher or lower levels than what is common countywide, we recommend testing to know what you are actually dealing with. A comprehensive metals and minerals panel costs around two hundred to four hundred dollars and will identify what needs treatment in your specific well. Depending on your results, water softeners or arsenic 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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arsenic | 67 | 10% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Chloride | 19 | 5% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Iron | 70 | 4% | Moderate |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Fluoride | 211 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Lead | 67 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Manganese | 67 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrate | 35 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrite | 17 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Sulfate | 19 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Uranium | 33 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Hardness | 19 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| pH | 19 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Sodium | 19 | — | 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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