Well owners in Hill County should be aware that their groundwater contains arsenic, fluoride, iron, lead, manganese, nitrate, and PFOA. Several of these contaminants are present at levels that exceed EPA health standards, making them a real concern for your household water.
These contaminants come from a mix of natural and human sources. The rock beneath Hill County naturally contains arsenic, fluoride, iron, and manganese that dissolve into groundwater over time. Nitrate and PFOA enter the water mainly from fertilizer use, wastewater, and industrial activity on the land surface above your well.
Groundwater in this county is notably high in iron. This mineral comes from the rock itself, which contains iron-bearing minerals that break down and release iron into the water as it moves underground. Iron is found in a moderate amount across many wells in Hill County.
Wells in Hill County have been found to contain arsenic, fluoride, lead, manganese, nitrate, and PFOA at levels above EPA health standards. Arsenic can damage the kidneys and nervous system with long-term exposure. Lead harms children's brain development and causes learning problems. Nitrate is especially dangerous for babies and can prevent their blood from carrying oxygen. Fluoride, manganese, and PFOA also pose health risks to people drinking the water over time.
Iron in county wells causes orange or brown staining on sinks, toilets, and laundry. The water may taste metallic or leave an unpleasant flavor in your mouth. You might notice rust-colored particles in your tap water. These problems affect your daily life and can damage your home's appearance.
We recommend testing your well water as soon as possible because every well is different and yours may have higher or lower levels than the county average. A comprehensive panel testing for metals and minerals typically costs between two hundred and four hundred dollars and is the only way to know exactly what is in your water so you can treat it properly. Arsenic, lead, and nitrate each require specific treatment systems to remove them from drinking water.
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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iron | 311 | 12% | High | Moderate | |
| Fluoride | 426 | 5% | High |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Lead | 74 | 4% | Moderate |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Arsenic | 77 | 4% | Moderate |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 48 | 2% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrate | 65 | 2% | Moderate | Low | |
| Manganese | 255 | 0% | High | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 48 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 48 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 48 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 48 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Uranium | 14 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 48 | — | 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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