Groundwater in Reagan County contains arsenic, fluoride, iron, manganese, nitrate, radon, and uranium at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Several of these contaminants are present at concerning levels and warrant attention from well owners.
These contaminants come from the rocks beneath the county. The Edwards-Trinity aquifer system contains uranium and radon naturally in the rock formation, which dissolves into the water as it flows through. Arsenic, fluoride, and high levels of sodium and sulfate also occur naturally in this rock system. Nitrate can come from both natural sources and human activity like agriculture or septic systems.
Groundwater in Reagan County is very hard, driven by high levels of calcium and magnesium from the limestone and other minerals in the aquifer rock. The water also contains elevated sodium and sulfate, which add to its mineral character. These very hard water conditions and high mineral content are found across most wells in the county because the rock formations that supply the water are naturally mineral-rich throughout the area.
Wells in Reagan County commonly contain arsenic, fluoride, uranium, radon, nitrate, iron, and manganese at levels above EPA health standards. Arsenic and uranium are radioactive metals that can increase cancer risk with long-term exposure. Radon is a radioactive gas that raises lung cancer risk. Fluoride, nitrate, and manganese can cause dental and bone issues, especially in children, and manganese at high levels may affect the nervous system.
The very hard water in county wells creates scale buildup on fixtures and inside pipes. Iron and sulfate give water an unpleasant taste and smell, and iron stains clothes, sinks, and toilets orange or brown. High sodium levels add a salty taste. This extremely hard water also shortens the life of water heaters, dishwashers, and other appliances by several years.
We recommend testing your well water since every well is different and yours could have higher or lower levels than what is common here. Testing is the only way to know exactly what is in your water so you can treat it properly. A comprehensive metals and minerals panel costs between $200 and $400 and will tell you what you are dealing with. Treatment options include reverse osmosis systems, activated carbon filters, and water softeners depending on what testing shows.
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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Radon | 1 | 100% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Uranium | 47 | 26% | Moderate | High | |
| Iron | 164 | 18% | High | High | |
| Nitrate | 28 | 14% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Manganese | 164 | 14% | High | Moderate | |
| Arsenic | 154 | 5% | High |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Fluoride | 623 | 2% | High | Low | |
| Chloride | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Lead | 146 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Nitrite | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| E. coli | 1* | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 1 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| pH | 1 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 1 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Total Coliform | 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.
Loading recent water news…