Groundwater in Parmer County contains nitrate, manganese, and arsenic at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Well owners should be aware of these three contaminants and have their water tested to know what is present in their individual wells.
These contaminants come from different sources in the area. Nitrate enters groundwater from fertilizer use on farms and ranches across the county. Manganese and arsenic occur naturally in the rock layers that make up the High Plains aquifer beneath the county. As water moves through these rock layers over time, it dissolves these minerals and picks them up.
Groundwater in Parmer County is very hard, driven by elevated calcium and magnesium from the rock layers below. The High Plains aquifer contains mineral-rich layers that release these hardness minerals into the water as it flows through. Very hard water is common across wells in this county.
Wells in Parmer County have been found to contain arsenic, manganese, and nitrate at levels above EPA health standards. Arsenic can cause skin problems and increase cancer risk with long-term exposure. Manganese at high levels can affect how your brain and nervous system work, especially in children. Nitrate is dangerous for babies under six months old and can cause a serious condition called blue baby syndrome.
The very hard water in county wells will leave white, chalky buildup on faucets, showerheads, and inside pipes. You'll notice scale forming on appliances like kettles and coffee makers. Hard water makes soap less effective for cleaning and laundry. Over time, extremely hard water can shorten the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers because mineral deposits build up inside them.
We recommend testing your well water as soon as possible. Every well is different, and your well could have higher or lower levels than what is common around the county. A comprehensive panel that checks for metals, minerals, bacteria, and nitrate costs between two hundred and four hundred dollars and is the only way to know what you're actually dealing with. Treatment options like reverse osmosis or activated carbon filters can address multiple concerns once you know what's in your water.
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.
Loading recent water news…