Groundwater in Lubbock County contains chloride, sulfate, arsenic, fluoride, uranium, nitrate, and radon. Several of these contaminants exceed EPA health standards, making them a real concern for well owners in your county.
These contaminants come from multiple sources in the geology and land use here. Sulfate and chloride dissolve naturally from the rock layers in the High Plains aquifer. Arsenic, uranium, and radon occur naturally in the underground formation. Nitrate enters from agricultural activity and septic systems across the county's farmland.
Groundwater in Lubbock County is very hard, driven by elevated sodium and sulfate that concentrate in this aquifer system. The sandstone and other rock layers that make up the High Plains aquifer in this region contain these minerals, and slow groundwater movement allows them to build up over time. These characteristics are widespread across wells throughout your county.
Wells in Lubbock County can contain arsenic, uranium, radon, nitrate, and fluoride at levels above EPA health standards. Arsenic and uranium are linked to cancer risk with long-term exposure. Radon, a radioactive gas, increases lung cancer risk when inhaled. Nitrate is especially dangerous for infants and can cause serious illness. Fluoride at high levels can damage bones and teeth.
County well water often has very high sodium and sulfate levels along with extremely hard water. Hard water creates stubborn scale buildup on fixtures and inside pipes. It shortens the lifespan of water heaters, dishwashers, and washing machines. You may notice a salty taste, rotten egg odor from sulfate, or rust staining on sinks and clothes.
We recommend getting your well tested right away with a comprehensive panel that covers metals, minerals, and bacteria. Testing costs between $200 and $400 and is the only way to know what is actually in your well. Your well may have higher or lower levels than other county wells, so testing tells you exactly what treatment your family needs. Reverse osmosis systems and water softeners can address multiple contaminants.
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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chloride | 198 | 92% | High | High | |
| Sulfate | 198 | 81% | High | High | |
| Arsenic | 117 | 40% | High | High | |
| Radon | 3 | 33% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Fluoride | 585 | 31% | High | High | |
| Iron | 315 | 12% | High | Moderate | |
| Uranium | 45 | 9% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Manganese | 306 | 3% | High |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Nitrate | 215 | 2% | High | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 19 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Lead | 116 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Nitrite | 9 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 19 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 19 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 19 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 19 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Total Coliform | 1* | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 198 | — | High | Low | |
| pH | 200 | — | High | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 19 | — | Moderate | Safe | |
| Hardness | 198 | — | High | Low | |
| E. coli | 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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