Groundwater in Van Zandt County contains iron, manganese, lead, nitrate, and PFOS that well owners should monitor. Several of these contaminants exceed EPA health standards, making them a real concern for private wells in this area.
These contaminants come from a mix of sources in the local rock and land use. Iron and manganese occur naturally in the rock layers beneath the county and leach into groundwater over time. Nitrate typically enters from agricultural practices and septic systems in the area. Lead can come from old well materials and plumbing. PFOS, a human-made chemical, has contaminated groundwater through industrial use and disposal practices that have reached the water table.
Groundwater in Van Zandt County is soft but elevated in sodium and iron. The local rock releases sodium naturally into the water, and moderate iron levels are common because iron-bearing minerals break down in the underground layers. These characteristics show up across many wells in the county, so well owners should expect them as part of their water profile.
Wells in Van Zandt County commonly have iron, lead, manganese, nitrate, and PFOS at levels above EPA health standards. Lead damages the brain and nervous system, especially in children, and can slow growth and learning. Manganese harms the brain and nervous system at high levels. Nitrate is especially dangerous for babies and can cause serious illness. PFOS builds up in your blood over time and can affect your immune system, liver, and cholesterol levels.
Iron and manganese in county wells cause orange or brown staining on sinks, toilets, and laundry. These minerals can make water taste metallic or leave a bad smell. The high sodium content in many wells here means some people notice a salty taste in their water.
We recommend testing your well for a comprehensive panel that covers metals, nitrate, and PFOS since multiple contaminants are common in this county. Every well is different--your water could have higher or lower levels than what is typical in the area. Testing is the only way to know exactly what is in your well so you can treat it properly. A comprehensive panel usually costs between $200 and $400. Treatment options like filtration systems, water softeners, or reverse osmosis can address these concerns based on what testing shows.
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 | 150 | 39% | High | High | |
| Manganese | 80 | 38% | Moderate | High | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 30 | 7% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Sulfate | 62 | 6% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Nitrate | 58 | 2% | Moderate | Low | |
| Lead | 61 | 2% | Moderate | Low | |
| Arsenic | 65 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Chloride | 62 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Fluoride | 268 | 0% | High | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 30 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Nitrite | 5 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 30 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 30 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 30 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Uranium | 30 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Sodium | 62 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| pH | 62 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 30 | — | Moderate | Safe | |
| Hardness | 62 | — | Moderate | 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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