Parmer County groundwater contains arsenic, manganese, and nitrate at levels that exceed EPA health standards. These contaminants are present at concentrations that warrant attention for well owners.
Arsenic and manganese occur naturally in the rock layers of the High Plains aquifer underlying this county. Nitrate enters the groundwater mainly from agricultural activities like fertilizer use and irrigation in the farming areas above. The sandy and gravelly layers that make up this aquifer allow water to move downward and carry these contaminants into drinking water supplies.
Groundwater in this county is very hard, driven by elevated calcium and magnesium dissolved from the rock. Water moving slowly through the sandy layers dissolves these minerals over time, and they accumulate as the groundwater moves downward. Very hard water is widespread across Parmer County wells.
Wells in Parmer County contain arsenic, manganese, and nitrate at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Arsenic exposure over time can harm your kidneys, heart, and nervous system, and it increases cancer risk. Manganese at high levels can affect how your brain and nerves work. Nitrate is dangerous for infants and can prevent their blood from carrying oxygen properly.
The county's water is very hard, which means white scale builds up on faucets, shower heads, and inside pipes. Hard water makes soap work poorly and can leave spots on dishes and laundry. Over time, very hard water shortens the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers. You might also notice a slight salty taste from the moderate sodium levels in the water.
Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your specific well, since every well is different. Your well could have higher or lower levels than what is common across the county. We recommend a comprehensive metals and minerals panel to check for all the contaminants of concern in this area, which typically costs between two hundred and four hundred dollars. Reverse osmosis filters or specialized treatment systems can address multiple contaminants once you know exactly what you are dealing with.
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 | 34 | 3% | Moderate | Low | |
| Manganese | 97 | 2% | Moderate | Low | |
| Arsenic | 97 | 1% | Moderate | Low | |
| Chloride | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Fluoride | 430 | 0% | High | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 6 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Iron | 107 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Lead | 97 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrite | 3 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 6 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 6 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 6 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 6 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Radon | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Uranium | 22 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| E. coli | 1* | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 3 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 6 | — | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| pH | 3 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 3 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Total Coliform | 1* | 0% | 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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