Groundwater in Hale County contains arsenic, chloride, fluoride, iron, manganese, nitrate, and sulfate. Several of these contaminants exceed EPA health standards, making them a concern for well owners in this area.
These contaminants come from the natural rock layers beneath the county and from human activities on the land above. The High Plains aquifer here sits in sandy and gravelly rock that naturally contains minerals and salts. Agricultural practices, including fertilizer use and irrigation, add nitrate to the groundwater. Arsenic occurs naturally in the rock itself and becomes more concentrated in areas where water moves slowly through certain layers.
Groundwater in Hale County is very hard, driven by high sodium and elevated calcium and magnesium from the rock layers below. The sandy and gravelly rock of the High Plains aquifer dissolves these minerals as water passes through, and the dry climate means water stays underground longer, allowing minerals to build up. Very hard water with high sodium is common across wells throughout this county.
Wells in Hale County have been found with arsenic, nitrate, fluoride, and manganese at levels above EPA health standards. Arsenic can damage your kidneys and increase cancer risk over time. Nitrate is especially dangerous for babies and can interfere with oxygen in their blood. Fluoride and manganese at high levels can affect bone health and cause nervous system problems.
The very hard water in county wells will leave scale buildup on your fixtures, appliances, and inside pipes. You may notice staining from iron and a rotten egg smell from sulfate. The hardness will shorten the life of water heaters, dishwashers, and washing machines. Your soap won't lather well, and clothes may feel stiff after washing.
We recommend testing your well with a comprehensive panel to find out exactly what is in your water. 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 you are dealing with so you can get the right treatment. A full metals and minerals panel costs between $200 and $400. Treatment options include reverse osmosis systems or whole-house filters, depending on what testing shows.
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 | 152 | 11% | High | Moderate | |
| Sulfate | 10 | 10% | Low | Moderate | |
| Chloride | 10 | 10% | Low | Moderate | |
| Manganese | 163 | 6% | High | Moderate | |
| Nitrate | 33 | 3% | Moderate |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Iron | 168 | 3% | High | Low | |
| Fluoride | 323 | 1% | High | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 12 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| Lead | 149 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Nitrite | 10 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 12 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 12 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 12 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 12 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| Radon | 7 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Uranium | 53 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| E. coli | 1* | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 10 | — | Low | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 12 | — | Low | Safe | |
| pH | 10 | — | Low | Low | |
| Sodium | 10 | — | Low | 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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