Well Water in Refugio County: What to Test and Why

Groundwater in Refugio County contains radon, chloride, and arsenic as the top contaminants well owners should know about. Several of these--including arsenic, chloride, fluoride, iron, manganese, nitrate, radon, and sulfate--reach levels high enough to exceed EPA health standards, making them a genuine concern for private well users.

These contaminants come from the county's coastal geology and saltwater influence. The area sits in a low-lying coastal zone where salt from the Gulf of Mexico has seeped into underground layers over time, bringing chloride and other salts. Radon comes from natural decay of uranium in the rocks themselves. Arsenic, iron, and manganese occur naturally in the sediments and clays of this aquifer system. Agricultural activity and urban development also contribute nitrate to the groundwater.

Groundwater in this county is soft but extremely high in sodium, with moderate levels of iron and sulfate as the defining minerals. The coastal plain's clay and sand layers naturally concentrate salt and sodium as water moves through them, while iron and sulfate come from the minerals in the surrounding sediments. These characteristics are widespread across wells throughout the county because the geology is consistent across the region.

Wells in Refugio County contain several contaminants that exceed EPA health standards. Arsenic, radon, and nitrate can cause serious health problems over time, including cancer and damage to your nervous system and organs. Fluoride at high levels can affect bone and tooth health, especially in children. Manganese and iron can harm your brain and nervous system with long-term exposure.

The high salt content in county well water affects taste and can leave stains on fixtures and laundry. You might notice a salty or mineral flavor when drinking or cooking. Iron in the water can create orange or brown stains on sinks, toilets, and clothing that are hard to remove.

We recommend testing your well with a comprehensive panel since multiple contaminants exceed health standards in this county. 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 two hundred and four hundred dollars, and treatment options range from simple filters to more advanced systems depending on what the test reveals.