Groundwater in San Saba County contains iron, nitrate, fluoride, and manganese. Several of these contaminants exceed EPA health standards, with fluoride and nitrate at levels that warrant attention.
These contaminants come from two sources. Fluoride and iron dissolve naturally from the local rock as water passes through it. Nitrate enters groundwater from agricultural activity and septic systems in the area.
Groundwater in this county is very hard, driven by elevated calcium and magnesium from the underlying rock. As rainwater filters down through the local geology, it picks up these minerals and concentrates them in the water below. Very hard water is common across wells throughout San Saba County.
Wells in San Saba County commonly contain fluoride, iron, manganese, and nitrate at levels exceeding EPA health standards. Fluoride at elevated levels can damage tooth enamel in children and affect bone health over time. Iron and manganese pose risks to organs and can cause developmental problems with long-term exposure. Nitrate is especially dangerous for infants, potentially interfering with how their blood carries oxygen.
County well water is very hard, which shortens the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers. Residents often see reddish or brown staining on fixtures and laundry. Scale builds up inside pipes and appliances. The water may taste slightly salty or metallic.
We recommend a comprehensive metals and minerals panel to find out what is actually in your well, since every well is different and yours could have higher or lower levels than what is common in the county. Testing costs between $200 and $400. Treatment options like water softeners, iron filters, and nitrate removal systems can address these issues once you know your specific water composition.
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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iron | 200 | 12% | High | Moderate | |
| Nitrate | 52 | 6% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Fluoride | 345 | 4% | High |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Manganese | 158 | 4% | High |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Arsenic | 148 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Chloride | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 4 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Lead | 122 | 0% | High | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 4 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 4 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 4 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 4 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Uranium | 38 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Hardness | 1 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 4 | — | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| pH | 1 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 1 | — | 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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