Groundwater in Taylor County contains manganese, arsenic, and chloride. Manganese is the only contaminant reaching levels high enough to exceed EPA health standards, while arsenic and chloride are present but at lower concern levels.
These contaminants come from the crystalline rock that makes up the aquifer beneath Taylor County. Manganese and iron naturally dissolve from the rock minerals into groundwater over time, especially in areas where oxygen levels are low underground. Arsenic can also occur naturally in certain rock types in this region.
Groundwater in Taylor County is soft and notably free of iron or hardness problems, driven by the low levels of calcium and magnesium in the crystalline rock aquifer. The rock here does not naturally contribute the minerals that make water hard the way limestone does in other regions. These soft-water characteristics are common across wells throughout the county.
Manganese shows up in wells across Taylor County at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Drinking water with too much manganese can affect how your brain and nervous system work, especially in children and babies. Long-term exposure is the main concern with this contaminant.
Your water in this county tends to be soft, which is actually good news for scaling and buildup problems. Iron is present at moderate levels, which can cause reddish or brownish staining on fixtures, laundry, and dishes. You might notice a metallic taste in the water or see discoloration in your toilet tank.
We recommend testing your well to find out what is actually in your water, since every well is different and yours could have higher or lower levels than other wells in the county. A comprehensive panel that checks for metals and minerals runs between two hundred and four hundred dollars and is the only way to know for sure. Testing tells you exactly what you are dealing with so you can treat it properly. Filtration systems or special filters can address both manganese and iron concerns.
| Contaminant | Samples ⓘ | % Above MCL ⓘ | Distribution ⓘ | Confidence ⓘ | Risk ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manganese | 13 | 8% | Low | Moderate | |
| Arsenic | 8 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Chloride | 19 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Iron | 16 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Fluoride | 19 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrite | 8 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Iron | 16 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Sulfate | 19 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Lead | 11 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| Nitrate | 17 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Hardness | 22 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| pH | 22 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Sodium | 18 | — | 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.
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