Groundwater in Amador County contains several contaminants that exceed EPA health standards: arsenic, boron, chloride, iron, manganese, nitrate, radon, and sulfate. These levels are concerning enough that well owners should test their water and consider treatment options.
The Central Valley aquifer system in this county naturally contains arsenic and other minerals from the rock and sediment underground. Agricultural activity and other land use add nitrate and chloride to groundwater over time. Radon comes from radioactive decay in the rocks beneath the surface.
Groundwater in Amador County is moderately hard, driven by iron and manganese that dissolve from the surrounding rock. These minerals are common in the aquifer materials here and concentrate as water moves through them. Most wells in this county show these elevated iron and manganese levels.
Wells in Amador County can contain arsenic, boron, chloride, iron, manganese, nitrate, and radon at levels above EPA health standards. Arsenic and radon are radioactive elements that increase cancer risk with long-term exposure. Nitrate harms infants and interferes with oxygen in the blood. Boron, manganese, and chloride exposure at high levels can damage the nervous system and organs over time.
The elevated iron and minerals in county well water leave orange or brown stains on fixtures, laundry, and skin. The moderate hardness means scale builds up inside pipes and water heaters, shortening their lifespan. Some wells in this area have rotten-egg smells from sulfur compounds or metallic tastes from minerals.
We recommend a comprehensive water test to learn what is actually in your well, since every well is different and yours may have higher or lower levels than what is common here. Testing is the only way to know what needs treatment. A full metals and minerals panel costs between $200 and $400. Depending on results, treatment options include activated carbon filters for some contaminants and water softeners for hardness and iron removal.
Not sure if your well is affected? Get certified results in 5–7 days.
Test Your Well Water with Tap Score →| Contaminant | Samples ⓘ | % Above MCL ⓘ | Distribution ⓘ | Confidence ⓘ | Risk ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Radon | 1 | 100% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Manganese | 25 | 40% | Moderate | High | |
| Iron | 25 | 28% | Moderate | High | |
| Nitrate | 25 | 8% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Boron | 20 | 5% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Chloride | 25 | 4% | Moderate |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Arsenic | 25 | 4% | Moderate |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Sulfate | 25 | 4% | Moderate |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 22 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Lead | 14 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 22 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Fluoride | 25 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 20 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Nitrite | 24 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 22 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Perchlorate | 20 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Uranium | 24 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Chromium (total) | 21 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| 1,2,3-Trichloropropane | 22 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 22 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Tds | 21 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| pH | 25 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Total Coliform | 17* | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 22 | — | Moderate | Safe | |
| E. coli | 17* | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Hardness | 25 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Sodium | 25 | — | 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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