Groundwater in Wharton County contains iron, manganese, chloride, and arsenic. Some of these metals and salts are present at levels high enough to exceed health standards, which means well owners should test their water and consider treatment if levels are elevated.
The coastal lowlands where this county sits naturally contain salty and mineral-rich layers underground from ancient seawater. Iron and manganese come from the rock itself, while chloride and arsenic occur naturally in deeper zones where saltwater has lingered for thousands of years. Human activities like oil and gas work or road salt can add to these levels in some places.
Groundwater in this county is very hard, driven by elevated calcium and magnesium from the limestone and shell beds below. These hard-water minerals concentrate here because the surrounding rock slowly dissolves into the water as it flows through the ground. Very hard water is common across wells throughout the county, and elevated iron is also widespread.
Wells in Wharton County commonly have arsenic and manganese at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Arsenic exposure over time can damage the nervous system and increase cancer risk. Manganese in drinking water can affect the brain and nervous system, especially in children. Chloride and iron are also found at elevated levels in county wells.
The very hard water in this county's wells creates staining on fixtures and dishes. Scale buildup happens quickly in pipes and water heaters. Hard water shortens the lifespan of appliances like dishwashers and water heaters. You may notice a metallic taste or see rust-colored staining from the iron.
We recommend testing your well water with a comprehensive panel, since multiple analytes exceed health standards in the county. Every well is different--your well could have higher or lower levels than what is common here. Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your water so you can treat it properly. A comprehensive metals and minerals panel typically costs between $200 and $400 and can identify what needs filtration or other treatment.
| Contaminant | Samples ⓘ | % Above MCL ⓘ | Distribution ⓘ | Confidence ⓘ | Risk ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iron | 320 | 8% | High | Moderate | |
| Manganese | 219 | 7% | High | Moderate | |
| Chloride | 72 | 6% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Arsenic | 144 | 1% | High | Low | |
| Fluoride | 490 | 0% | High | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 13 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| Lead | 136 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Nitrate | 33 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 13 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 13 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 13 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 13 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| Sulfate | 72 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Uranium | 47 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Sodium | 32 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| pH | 72 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 13 | — | Low | Safe | |
| Hardness | 72 | — | 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.
Loading recent water news…