Real County's groundwater contains lead, fluoride, and arsenic. Fluoride and lead are present at levels high enough to exceed EPA health standards, so well owners should test their water and consider treatment.
These contaminants come from the rock formations beneath the county. Fluoride and arsenic occur naturally in the Edwards-Trinity aquifer system, leaching into groundwater as water moves through the rock. Lead can come from natural deposits in rock and soil, and also from old pipes and plumbing in some wells.
Groundwater in this county is hard, with elevated sodium and sulfate as the main minerals driving this character. The limestone and other rocks of the Edwards-Trinity aquifer naturally dissolve and release these minerals into the water as it flows underground. Most wells across the county show this same hard water signature with high sodium and sulfate.
Fluoride and lead are found at levels above EPA health standards in wells across Real County. Fluoride exposure at elevated levels can cause dental fluorosis, which appears as white spots or streaks on teeth, especially in children whose teeth are still developing. Lead is a serious concern because it accumulates in the body over time and can damage the brain, kidneys, and nervous system, with children being particularly vulnerable to these effects.
Wells in Real County contain high amounts of sodium and sulfate, along with moderate iron and hard water. The high sodium can leave a salty taste and is a concern for people on restricted diets. Hard water causes scale buildup in pipes and appliances, shortens the life of water heaters and dishwashers, and makes it harder to get soap to lather. Iron can stain laundry and fixtures with orange or brown marks.
We recommend testing your well water with a comprehensive panel that checks for metals and minerals, since multiple contaminants are present in county wells. Testing costs between two hundred and four hundred dollars and is the only way to know what is actually in your specific well. Your well may have higher or lower levels than what is common in the county, so testing will show you exactly what treatment your water needs, whether that is a reverse osmosis system, water softener, or filtration.
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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lead | 37 | 3% | Moderate | Low | |
| Fluoride | 92 | 1% | Moderate | Low | |
| Arsenic | 37 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Chloride | 2 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Iron | 39 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Manganese | 35 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrate | 10 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| Nitrite | 2 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Radon | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 2 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Uranium | 6 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 2 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| pH | 2 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 2 | — | 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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