Well water in Sterling County, Texas
In Sterling County, none of 36 tested well samples exceeded the EPA limit for fluoride, based on public data from Texas Water Development Board Groundwater Database.
36 individual samples from 23 wells, 1961 to 2004. 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 Sterling 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 1961 to 2004 | 36 | 100% | 0% | 0.75 | 2.4 | 4 mg/L EPA limit | |
| Chloride 1961 to 2004 | 36 | 100% | no limit | 17 | 263 | 250 mg/L nuisance level | |
| Sodium 1961 to 2004 | 36 | 100% | no limit | 19.1 | 125 | 20 mg/L health guideline |
Sampled fewer than 10 times, too few to summarize: Nitrate (8), Arsenic (8), Lead (8), Copper (8), Gross alpha (4), Radium (226 + 228) (2), Manganese (8), Iron (8).
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What this means
Among contaminants with a federal limit, no tested sample in Sterling County came back above it. That is reassuring, but sampling is uneven: wells that were never tested are not in this data.
Chloride is widespread in local groundwater. It is mainly a staining and taste problem, but high manganese also carries a health advisory for infants.
What to test for in Sterling County
- Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)7 leaking underground storage tank sites on record locally.
- Coliform bacteriaRecommended for every private well, every year.
- FluorideDetected in 100% of local samples.
- ChlorideDetected in 100% of local samples.
- NitrateRecommended for every private well, especially near farms or septic systems.
Contamination sources on record in Sterling County
TCEQ records 7 leaking underground storage tank sites in Sterling County, among 8 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.
- 7
- leaking underground storage tank sitesGasoline and heating oil that leaked from tanks move through groundwater as benzene, MTBE and other volatile organic compounds.
- 1
- lined landfill or transfer facility
Treatment that fits the local profile
- Fluoride
- Point-of-use reverse osmosis; Activated alumina; Distillation
- Chloride
- Point-of-use reverse osmosis; Distillation
Get your Sterling 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 Sterling County.
Common questions
Is there arsenic in well water in Sterling County?
Arsenic was detected in 25% of 8 public well samples in Sterling County, and 0% were above the EPA limit of 10 ug/L. Arsenic has no taste or smell; a lab test is the only way to know your level.
How often should I test a private well in Sterling 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: 162 samples in Sterling 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: 8 regulated sites located in Sterling 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.