No contaminants have been detected in Putnam County's groundwater at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Contaminant levels in this county are low.
The local geology keeps contamination from building up in the groundwater. Putnam County sits above a surficial aquifer system made of sand and other loose materials that filter water naturally as it moves down. The sandy soil and permeable rock layers don't hold onto harmful substances the way denser rock does. Land use in the area also supports clean water, with relatively low industrial activity and good natural filtration happening between the land surface and the water below.
Based on the aquifer type, groundwater in this county likely contains elevated iron and manganese from the sandy materials that make up the surficial aquifer system. These minerals dissolve naturally as water moves through sand and loose sediment. The presence of these minerals varies from well to well across the county depending on local conditions.
Wells in Putnam County have not shown common exceedances of EPA health standards based on available county data. However, because this county is identified as a priority area for arsenic, wells here deserve attention even when routine testing has not detected problems. Arsenic is a serious concern because it can build up in your body over time and increase the risk of cancer and other health effects.
The mineral content of county well water varies from well to well. Without specific data on your water's mineral levels, we cannot describe what aesthetic issues you might experience in your home.
We recommend testing your well water for arsenic and other contaminants because every well is different and your water may have higher or lower levels than what is common in the county. Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your well so you can treat it properly if needed. A basic screening test runs around fifty to one hundred dollars, while a comprehensive panel costs two hundred to four hundred dollars. Arsenic can be removed through special filters or other treatment systems designed for this purpose.
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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iron | 333 | 41% | High | High | |
| Chloride | 362 | 16% | High | High | |
| Manganese | 309 | 4% | High |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Arsenic | 218 | 2% | High | Low | |
| Sulfate | 282 | 1% | High | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 5 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 5 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 5 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Lead | 219 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Nitrate | 13 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 5 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Radon | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Uranium | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Fluoride | 167 | 0% | High | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 5 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Nitrite | 13 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| pH | 352 | — | High | Low | |
| Sodium | 357 | — | High | Low | |
| E. coli | 22* | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Fecal Coliform | 24* | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 5 | — | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 118 | — | High | Low | |
| Total Coliform | 46* | 0% | 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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