Groundwater in Lipscomb County contains manganese, fluoride, and arsenic at levels that exceed EPA health standards. These contaminants are present at concentrations high enough that well owners should take them seriously.
These metals and minerals come from the rock layers beneath the county. The High Plains aquifer here sits above and within rock that naturally carries manganese, fluoride, and arsenic. As water moves slowly through the ground, it dissolves these elements from the rock and picks them up over time.
Groundwater in this county is very hard, driven by elevated calcium and magnesium from the rock below. This hardness comes from the limestone and other rock layers that make up the aquifer in this region. Very hard water is the norm for wells across Lipscomb County.
Wells in Lipscomb County commonly contain arsenic, fluoride, and manganese at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Arsenic can damage organs and increase cancer risk with long-term exposure. Fluoride at elevated levels can cause dental and skeletal problems. Manganese exposure can affect the brain and nervous system, especially in children and infants.
The extremely hard water in county wells will leave scale buildup on fixtures, pipes, and appliances. You may see white crusty deposits in sinks and on showerheads. Hard water can shorten the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers. Washing clothes and dishes becomes harder, and your skin and hair may feel dry.
We recommend testing your well to find out what is actually in your water, since every well is different and yours may have higher or lower levels than the county average. A comprehensive metals and minerals panel typically costs two hundred to four hundred dollars and is the only way to know what treatment your water needs. Treatment options like reverse osmosis or special filters can remove arsenic and manganese, while water softeners address hardness.
| Contaminant | Samples ⓘ | % Above MCL ⓘ | Distribution ⓘ | Confidence ⓘ | Risk ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manganese | 102 | 2% | High | Low | |
| Fluoride | 161 | 2% | High | Low | |
| Arsenic | 102 | 1% | High | Low | |
| Chloride | 13 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| Iron | 102 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Lead | 102 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Nitrate | 31 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrite | 13 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| Radon | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 13 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| Uranium | 46 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Hardness | 13 | — | Low | Low | |
| E. coli | 1* | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Total Coliform | 1* | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 13 | — | Low | Low | |
| pH | 13 | — | 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.
Loading recent water news…