Well Water in Wilbarger County: What to Test and Why

Well owners in Wilbarger County should be aware of chloride, nitrate, iron, fluoride, and manganese in their groundwater. These contaminants are present at levels that exceed EPA health standards and warrant attention.

These contaminants come from two main sources. Nitrate enters groundwater from fertilizers and animal waste spread on the land above. Chloride, fluoride, and iron dissolve naturally from the rock layers underground--these minerals are simply part of the stone that water passes through on its way down to the aquifer.

Groundwater in this county is characterized by elevated iron and manganese, metals that come from the rock formations below the surface. As water sits in the ground and moves slowly through the stone, it picks up these elements. Many wells in Wilbarger County show these mineral characteristics in their water.

Wells in Wilbarger County show levels of chloride, fluoride, iron, manganese, and nitrate that exceed EPA health standards. Chloride and sodium in drinking water can raise blood pressure in some people. High fluoride damages growing teeth in children and can affect bone health over time. Nitrate is especially risky for infants and can interfere with how blood carries oxygen. Iron and manganese at elevated levels can harm the brain and nervous system with long-term exposure.

Iron in county well water leaves brown or orange stains on sinks, toilets, and laundry. It can make water taste metallic and smell bad. Manganese creates similar staining problems and dark discoloration. These minerals build up as scale inside pipes and water heaters, shortening the lifespan of appliances like dishwashers and water heaters.

We recommend testing your well water since every well in this county is different and yours 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 runs between two hundred and four hundred dollars. Treatment options include installing a water softener or iron filter, depending on what testing reveals.