Well Water in Wood County: What to Test and Why

Groundwater in Wood County contains iron, manganese, sulfate, chloride, lead, and nitrate. Several of these contaminants exceed EPA health standards, making them a moderate concern for well owners.

The rock layers beneath Wood County naturally release iron and manganese as water moves through them. Chloride and sulfate accumulate from the same geological sources. Nitrate enters from agricultural activity and septic systems in the area. Lead can come from the rock itself or from older well pipes and fittings.

Groundwater in this county is soft, but it contains moderate levels of iron and sodium from the surrounding rock. As water seeps through the iron-bearing materials in the Texas coastal uplands, these minerals dissolve into the water. These characteristics show up across many wells in the county, though individual wells vary.

Chloride, lead, manganese, nitrate, and sulfate are contaminants found at levels exceeding EPA health standards in Wood County wells. Lead damages children's brains and nervous systems and harms adults' kidneys and blood pressure. Nitrate is dangerous for infants and can affect how blood carries oxygen. Manganese at elevated levels can harm the nervous system. Chloride and sulfate at high levels can cause digestive problems in some people.

County well water is relatively soft, so you probably will not see heavy scale buildup on fixtures or inside pipes. However, iron at moderate levels can leave orange or rust-colored stains on sinks, tubs, laundry, and dishes that are difficult to remove. Manganese creates dark stains and can affect water taste and color. Some people notice a metallic or unpleasant taste in their water.

Your well is unique, and testing is the only way to know exactly what you have. We recommend a comprehensive metals and minerals panel to check for all these contaminants, since several exceed health standards in the county. A comprehensive test typically costs $200 to $400. Iron removal systems or whole-house filtration can help treat the problems once you know what is present in your water.