Well water in Stephens County, Texas
In Stephens County, 3% of 117 tested well samples exceeded the EPA limit for fluoride (4 mg/L), based on public data from Texas Water Development Board Groundwater Database.
150 individual samples from 124 wells, 1937 to 1991. Data refreshed September 9, 2026.
TWDB samples an ambient monitoring network of wells on a rotation, so these describe aquifers, not a survey of homeowners' tests.
What individual samples found
Each row summarizes every public sample for that contaminant inside Stephens County. Above limit means above the EPA maximum contaminant level; where EPA has no enforceable limit, the row shows a health guideline or nuisance level instead.
| Contaminant | Samples | Detected | Above limit | Median | Highest | Limit | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fluoride 1962 to 1991 | 117 | 100% | 3% | 0.8 | 7.5 | 4 mg/L EPA limit | |
| Chloride 1937 to 1991 | 150 | 100% | no limit | 153 | 5,160 | 250 mg/L nuisance level | |
| Sodium 1937 to 1991 | 143 | 100% | no limit | 239 | 1,995 | 20 mg/L health guideline | |
| Iron 1962 to 1991 | 23 | 87% | no limit | 730 | 138,000 | 300 ug/L nuisance level |
Sampled fewer than 10 times, too few to summarize: Gross alpha (9), Nitrate (6).
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What this means
The contaminants most often above their limit here are fluoride (3% of 117 samples). A well next door can differ sharply from yours because bedrock fractures, well depth and plumbing all matter, so these rates describe the area, not your tap.
Chloride and Iron are widespread in local groundwater. They are mainly a staining and taste problem, but high manganese also carries a health advisory for infants.
What to test for in Stephens County
- Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)23 leaking underground storage tank sites on record locally.
- Fluoride3% of 117 local samples were above the limit.
- Coliform bacteriaRecommended for every private well, every year.
- ChlorideDetected in 100% of local samples.
- NitrateRecommended for every private well, especially near farms or septic systems.
- IronDetected in 87% of local samples.
Contamination sources on record in Stephens County
TCEQ records 23 leaking underground storage tank sites in Stephens County, among 26 regulated sites in total. Groundwater does not follow property lines, so a well within a few hundred feet of one of these is worth testing for what that site could release.
- 23
- leaking underground storage tank sitesGasoline and heating oil that leaked from tanks move through groundwater as benzene, MTBE and other volatile organic compounds.
- 3
- lined landfills and transfer facilities
Treatment that fits the local profile
- Fluoride
- Point-of-use reverse osmosis; Activated alumina; Distillation
- Chloride
- Point-of-use reverse osmosis; Distillation
- Iron
- Oxidizing filter whole-house; Water softener (low levels); Aeration plus filtration
Get your Stephens County water tested at home
A licensed local water treatment company tests your tap water in your home, walks you through the numbers, and quotes treatment only if something needs fixing. Free, about 30 minutes, no obligation. Tell us what you need and we match you with a company that serves Stephens County.
Common questions
How often should I test a private well in Stephens County?
Test for bacteria and nitrate every year. Test once for arsenic, uranium, radon, fluoride, manganese and PFAS, then again every three to five years or after any change in taste, color, or plumbing.
Sources
- Texas Water Development Board Groundwater Database: 448 samples in Stephens County. Water quality samples from the Texas Water Development Board Groundwater Database, collected by TWDB, groundwater conservation districts and cooperators. Retrieved September 9, 2026.
- TCEQ regulated sites: 26 regulated sites located in Stephens County. Leaking petroleum storage tank sites, state Superfund sites and municipal solid waste landfills from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. Retrieved September 9, 2026.
Non-detects count as samples and are treated as zero when computing medians. Exactly at the limit counts as not above it. A sample belongs to the town containing the well's reported coordinates.