Groundwater in Refugio County contains radon, chloride, and arsenic as the top detected contaminants. Several of these reach levels high enough to exceed EPA health standards, including arsenic, chloride, fluoride, iron, manganese, nitrate, radon, and sulfate.
The coastal location and flat terrain of this county create conditions where saltwater moves into the groundwater from the Gulf. The rock layers here naturally contain arsenic and other minerals that dissolve into water as it moves underground. Fertilizer and septic systems add nitrate, while the buried rocks release iron, manganese, and fluoride on their own.
Groundwater in this county is soft overall, but very high in sodium, with moderate iron and sulfate also present. Sodium concentrates here because the coastal rocks contain salt deposits and seawater intrusion pushes salty water inland into the aquifer. These characteristics are widespread across wells throughout the county.
Wells in Refugio County commonly contain arsenic, fluoride, nitrate, and radon at levels above EPA health standards. Arsenic can damage organs and increase cancer risk with long-term exposure. Fluoride at high levels can affect bone and tooth development. Nitrate is harmful to infants and can interfere with oxygen in the blood. Radon is a radioactive gas that increases lung cancer risk when breathed in over time.
The county's water has very high sodium and moderate amounts of iron and sulfate, which create quality-of-life concerns. High sodium can give water a salty taste that some people notice right away. Iron can leave rusty stains on fixtures, laundry, and dishes. Sulfate can add an unpleasant taste or odor to drinking water and affect how water tastes when used for cooking.
We recommend testing your well with a comprehensive metals and minerals panel, since your well may have higher or lower levels than what is common in the county. Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your water so you can treat it properly. A comprehensive panel typically costs two hundred to four hundred dollars. Depending on results, treatment options like arsenic filters, water softeners, or radon mitigation systems can address specific concerns.
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 ⓘ | |
| Chloride | 146 | 84% | High | High | |
| Arsenic | 53 | 19% | Moderate | High | |
| Manganese | 54 | 9% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Iron | 65 | 9% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Sulfate | 144 | 3% | High |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Nitrate | 66 | 3% | Moderate |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Fluoride | 216 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Lead | 53 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Nitrite | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Uranium | 22 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Hardness | 105 | — | High | Low | |
| pH | 53 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Sodium | 109 | — | High | 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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