Groundwater in Wharton County contains iron, manganese, chloride, and arsenic at levels that exceed EPA health standards. These contaminant levels warrant attention from well owners in this area.
The coastal geology beneath this county naturally releases iron and manganese into groundwater as water moves through underground rock layers. Chloride and arsenic also occur naturally in this region's rock and sediment. The flat terrain and proximity to the Gulf Coast allow saltwater to mix with freshwater in some areas, which increases chloride concentration over time.
Groundwater in Wharton County is very hard, driven by elevated calcium and magnesium from the rock below, and also contains moderate sodium. The coastal aquifer system here dissolves minerals as water passes through limestone and clay layers, which concentrates these elements in the water. These mineral characteristics are widespread across wells throughout the county and neighboring areas with the same coastal aquifer system.
Arsenic and manganese are found at elevated levels in wells across Wharton County. Arsenic can damage organs and increase cancer risk with long-term exposure. Manganese affects the nervous system, especially in children, and can cause learning and behavior problems. Chloride and iron also exceed health standards in some county wells, though at lower concern levels.
The very hard water in this county creates noticeable quality-of-life issues. Hard water leaves scale buildup on fixtures, faucets, and inside pipes. You may notice rust-colored stains on sinks and laundry from iron in the water. This extreme hardness can shorten the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers.
We recommend testing your well, since every well in this county is different and yours may have higher or lower contaminant levels than average. 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 two hundred and four hundred dollars. Treatment options like reverse osmosis or ion exchange can address multiple concerns at once.
| 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.
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