Groundwater in Hemphill County contains nitrate, iron, and manganese at levels that exceed EPA health standards. These contaminants show up regularly enough that well owners should test their water and understand where they come from.
Nitrate enters groundwater from fertilizer and livestock waste on the land surface, seeping down through soil into the aquifer below. Iron and manganese occur naturally in the rock layers that make up the High Plains aquifer in this region. All three contaminants are common across wells throughout Hemphill County and its neighboring areas that draw from the same aquifer.
Groundwater in this county is very hard, driven by elevated calcium and magnesium that come from the rock layers underground. The High Plains aquifer contains minerals that dissolve into water as it moves through the ground. Very hard water is the norm for most wells tapping into this aquifer across the county.
Wells in Hemphill County commonly exceed EPA health standards for iron, manganese, and nitrate. High nitrate in drinking water can harm infants and cause serious health problems. Elevated manganese can affect your nervous system, especially in children. Too much iron in water does not cause health problems directly, but it often comes alongside other contaminants that do.
The very hard water in this county will create visible staining on fixtures and clothing. You will see white scale buildup in pipes and on faucets. Hard water reduces how well soap works and leaves mineral deposits inside water heaters and dishwashers, shortening their lifespan. You may notice a metallic taste or odd odor in your water.
Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your well, since every well is different and yours may have higher or lower levels than what is common here. We recommend a comprehensive water panel to check for all metals, minerals, and bacteria. A basic test runs fifty to one hundred dollars, while a full metals and minerals panel costs two hundred to four hundred dollars. Once you know what you are dealing with, treatment options like ion exchange softeners, iron filters, or aeration systems can help.
| Contaminant | Samples ⓘ | % Above MCL ⓘ | Distribution ⓘ | Confidence ⓘ | Risk ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nitrate | 22 | 9% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Iron | 79 | 1% | Moderate | Low | |
| Manganese | 79 | 1% | Moderate | Low | |
| Arsenic | 79 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Chloride | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Fluoride | 145 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Lead | 79 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrite | 3 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Radon | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Uranium | 11 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| E. coli | 1* | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 3 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| pH | 3 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 3 | — | 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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