Well Water in Gregg County: What to Test and Why

Groundwater in Gregg County contains chloride, iron, lead, and manganese at levels that exceed EPA health standards. These contaminant levels are concerning enough that well owners should be aware of them.

The rocks beneath this county naturally contain iron and salt deposits that dissolve into groundwater as water moves through them. Chloride and sodium come from both natural mineral layers in the rock and from saltwater that moved inland long ago when the region was covered by ancient seas. Lead enters groundwater mainly through corroded pipes and soil contact rather than from the rock itself.

Groundwater in this county is soft, but it contains very high sodium and moderate iron as its defining characteristics. The coastal uplands rock formation here contains salt-bearing layers that release sodium as water flows through them, while iron comes from iron-rich minerals in the same rocks. Most wells in Gregg County show these sodium and iron signatures, though the exact levels vary from well to well.

Wells in Gregg County commonly have chloride, iron, lead, and manganese at levels exceeding EPA health standards. Lead can harm brain development and learning in children and cause high blood pressure and kidney damage in adults. Manganese at elevated concentrations can affect the nervous system. Chloride at high levels raises blood pressure concerns, especially for people on sodium-restricted diets. Iron and manganese together can create additional health risks beyond what each causes alone.

The county's well water is very high in sodium, which contributes a salty taste that many people notice right away. Iron causes orange, brown, or reddish staining on fixtures, laundry, and surfaces that is difficult to remove. While the water itself is relatively soft and won't create scale buildup or shorten appliance lifespans, the mineral content still affects daily life and water quality.

We recommend a comprehensive metals and minerals testing panel to find out what is actually in your well, since every well is different and yours could have higher or lower levels than what is common across the county. Testing costs between $200 and $400 and is the only way to know what treatment your water needs. Iron removal systems and point-of-use filters can help reduce some of these contaminants once you understand your specific water chemistry.