Groundwater in Jim Wells County contains arsenic, chloride, fluoride, iron, manganese, radon, and uranium. Several of these contaminants exceed EPA health standards, which means well owners should test their water and understand what is present in their supply.
The coastal location and the composition of the underground rock layers here are the main sources of these contaminants. The rocks naturally contain radioactive minerals that release radon, and they hold arsenic and uranium. Salt from the ancient seabed and ongoing saltwater influence push chloride and sodium into the water. The combination of natural mineral deposits and coastal geology creates this mix of contaminants in most wells across the county.
Groundwater in Jim Wells County is very hard, driven by high levels of dissolved minerals including calcium and magnesium, combined with very high sodium content. Water percolating through the limestone and clay layers below dissolves these minerals and accumulates salt from the coastal environment. These characteristics show up consistently across wells throughout the county.
Wells in Jim Wells County contain arsenic, uranium, and radon at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Arsenic can damage kidneys and cause skin changes over time. Uranium and radon are radioactive elements that increase cancer risk. Fluoride at elevated levels can affect bone and tooth development, especially in children. Manganese can harm the nervous system with long-term exposure.
The county's water is extremely hard with very high sodium content. This causes white scale buildup on fixtures and in pipes, which can shorten the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers. Soap won't lather well. The high sodium gives the water a noticeably salty taste. Iron in the water leaves reddish or orange stains on laundry, dishes, and plumbing fixtures.
We recommend a comprehensive metals and minerals 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 in the county. Testing costs around two hundred to four hundred dollars and is the only way to know what treatment your water needs. Depending on your results, treatment options like reverse osmosis systems or ion exchange softeners can address multiple 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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Radon | 1 | 100% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Chloride | 9 | 89% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Iron | 83 | 23% | Moderate | High | |
| Uranium | 14 | 7% | Low | Moderate | |
| Manganese | 45 | 7% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Arsenic | 45 | 4% | Moderate |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Fluoride | 232 | 0% | High | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 4 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Lead | 45 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrate | 12 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| Nitrite | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 4 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 4 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 4 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 4 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 9 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 1 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| pH | 9 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 4 | — | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 9 | — | Low | 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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