Groundwater in Navarro County contains nitrate, chloride, iron, manganese, fluoride, and sulfate. Several of these contaminants exceed EPA health standards, so well owners should test their water and understand what is present.
These contaminants come from both natural sources and human activity. Nitrate enters from fertilizer and septic systems in agricultural and residential areas. Chloride and sulfate dissolve naturally from the rock layers beneath the county. Iron and manganese seep into groundwater from the surrounding rock formations as water moves through them underground.
Groundwater in Navarro County is very hard, driven by elevated calcium and magnesium from the rock below, and also contains moderate iron and moderate sulfate along with high sodium. These minerals concentrate because water moving through the local rock dissolves them over time. Very hard water with elevated sodium and sulfate is common across wells throughout this county.
Wells in Navarro County commonly exceed EPA health standards for chloride, fluoride, iron, manganese, nitrate, and sulfate. Fluoride at high levels can harm children's developing teeth and bones. Iron and manganese can affect the nervous system and cause other health concerns. Nitrate is dangerous for infants and can interfere with how blood carries oxygen. Chloride and sulfate at elevated levels can cause digestive problems for some people.
The very hard water in county wells leaves scale buildup on fixtures and inside pipes, which shortens the lifespan of water heaters, dishwashers, and other appliances. You may notice rust-colored stains on clothes and fixtures from iron in the water. The high sodium content can make the water taste salty. Some people also notice a metallic or slightly unpleasant taste from the minerals present.
Your well is different from others in the county, and testing is the only way to know what is actually in your water. A comprehensive metals and minerals panel costs between $200 and $400 and will show you exactly what needs treatment. We recommend testing to understand your specific water quality so you can choose the right solutions. Water softeners, iron filters, and reverse osmosis systems are available depending on what your results show.
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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nitrate | 36 | 44% | Moderate | High | |
| Chloride | 33 | 27% | Moderate | High | |
| Iron | 50 | 24% | Moderate | High | |
| Manganese | 32 | 16% | Moderate | High | |
| Sulfate | 33 | 15% | Moderate | High | |
| Fluoride | 152 | 13% | High | Moderate | |
| Arsenic | 15 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 44 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Lead | 15 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrite | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 44 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 44 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 44 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 44 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Uranium | 3 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 33 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| pH | 31 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 44 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Hardness | 33 | — | 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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