Groundwater in Victoria County contains iron, manganese, and arsenic at levels that exceed EPA health standards. These contaminants are present at concerning concentrations and well owners should test their water to know what they are drinking.
The coastal lowlands geology here naturally releases these metals into groundwater. Iron and manganese come from rocks and clay layers underground that break down over time and dissolve into the water. Arsenic occurs naturally in the same rock formations. This area's geology makes these contaminants common across the region.
Groundwater in Victoria County is very hard, driven by elevated calcium and magnesium dissolved from the rocks below. The same geological conditions that create hardness also allow iron and manganese to enter the water as it moves through the soil and rock layers. Nearly all wells in this county show these characteristics.
Wells in Victoria County commonly have arsenic, iron, and manganese at levels above EPA health standards. Arsenic can build up in your body over time and increase the risk of cancer and other serious health problems. Iron and manganese at elevated levels can harm your nervous system, especially in children, and affect how your body uses important nutrients.
The very hard water in this county causes scale buildup inside pipes and appliances, which can shorten the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers. You may notice rusty or brown staining on sinks, toilets, and laundry. The water can taste metallic or leave a bitter flavor, and you might notice an unpleasant smell.
We recommend testing your well with a comprehensive metals and minerals panel, which costs between two hundred and four hundred dollars. 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 exactly what is in your well so you can treat it properly. Iron removal systems and arsenic filters are available treatment options for these 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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iron | 134 | 23% | High | High | |
| Manganese | 112 | 21% | High | High | |
| Arsenic | 107 | 13% | High | Moderate | |
| Chloride | 5 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Fluoride | 247 | 0% | High | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 6 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Lead | 107 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Nitrate | 7 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Nitrite | 5 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 6 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 6 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 6 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 6 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 5 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Uranium | 37 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Sodium | 5 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| pH | 6 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 6 | — | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 5 | — | 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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