Groundwater in San Augustine County contains manganese, iron, and lead at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Well owners need to be aware of these contaminants because they are present at concerning levels in the county's water.
The rocks beneath San Augustine County naturally contain iron and manganese minerals that dissolve into groundwater as water moves through the soil and stone. Lead can enter groundwater from old pipes and metal plumbing in wells and homes. This combination of natural minerals and potential corrosion from aging infrastructure creates the contamination pattern seen across the county.
Groundwater in this county is soft but notable for elevated sodium and moderate iron from the minerals in the surrounding rock layers. Iron and sodium dissolve naturally as rainwater seeps down through the soil and rocks that make up the Texas coastal uplands aquifer system in this region. These characteristics show up in many wells throughout San Augustine County.
Wells in San Augustine County show iron, lead, and manganese at levels above EPA health standards. Iron can cause problems with your blood and organs over time. Lead harms children's brain development and causes other health issues in adults and kids. Manganese affects your nervous system and can damage your brain, especially in children.
County wells have elevated sodium that can taste salty and affect people watching their salt intake. The iron in well water here stains clothes, fixtures, and dishes with brown or orange marks that are hard to remove. You might notice a metallic or bitter taste from the metals in the water.
We recommend testing your well right away with a comprehensive metals and minerals panel, which runs about $200 to $400. Every well is different, and your water could have higher or lower levels than what is common in the county. Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your well so you can treat it properly. Iron filters and water softeners can help remove these contaminants.
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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manganese | 37 | 30% | Moderate | High | |
| Iron | 88 | 27% | Moderate | High | |
| Lead | 32 | 3% | Moderate |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Arsenic | 32 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Chloride | 11 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| Fluoride | 108 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Nitrate | 16 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrite | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Radon | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 11 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| Uranium | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 11 | — | Low | Low | |
| pH | 11 | — | Low | Low | |
| Sodium | 11 | — | 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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