Groundwater in Waller County contains iron, arsenic, and manganese at levels that exceed EPA health standards. These contaminants are present at concerning concentrations that warrant attention from well owners.
The coastal lowlands beneath Waller County naturally contain these metals in the rock and soil layers. As water moves slowly through these materials underground, it picks up iron, arsenic, and manganese over time. These elements are common in this part of Texas and dissolve into groundwater from the surrounding geology.
Groundwater in this county is hard, driven by elevated calcium and magnesium that come from the rock layers below. The water also contains moderate amounts of iron and sodium from the minerals in the aquifer system. Hard water with moderate iron is a widespread characteristic across wells throughout this county.
Wells in Waller County sometimes have arsenic, iron, and manganese at levels above EPA health standards. Arsenic can cause health problems over many years of drinking contaminated water, including skin issues and increased cancer risk. Iron and manganese at high levels can also affect your health, though the main problems show up as staining and discoloration rather than immediate illness.
The hard water in this county's wells can leave stubborn stains on sinks, tubs, and clothes that are tough to clean. You might notice a metallic taste in your water or see rust-colored staining. Hard water also causes scale buildup inside pipes and water heaters, which can shorten how long your appliances last.
We recommend testing your well water because every well is different--yours could have much 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 that checks for metals and minerals typically costs between two hundred and four hundred dollars. Water softeners and iron filters are common treatment options for the mineral concerns in your area.
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 | 122 | 11% | High | Moderate | |
| Arsenic | 74 | 4% | Moderate |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Manganese | 80 | 4% | Moderate |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Chloride | 42 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Fluoride | 159 | 0% | High | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 23 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Lead | 73 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrate | 43 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrite | 2 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 23 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 23 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 23 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 23 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Radon | 2 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 42 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Uranium | 31 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Sodium | 31 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| pH | 29 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 23 | — | Moderate | Safe | |
| Hardness | 40 | — | 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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