Groundwater in Washington County contains manganese, iron, and arsenic. Iron and manganese exceed EPA health standards in this county's water.
The crystalline rock beneath Washington County naturally contains iron and manganese minerals. As water seeps slowly through cracks and spaces in this hard rock, it dissolves these metals and carries them into your well. Arsenic also occurs naturally in this type of bedrock and enters groundwater the same way.
Groundwater in this county is soft, driven by elevated iron. The crystalline rock here does not contribute calcium and magnesium the way limestone does in other areas, so the water stays soft even as iron concentrations rise. Iron is a widespread problem across wells in Washington County.
Wells in Washington County commonly have iron and manganese at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Iron can damage your organs over time. Manganese can affect your brain and nervous system, especially in children and people with weakened immune systems. Arsenic is also present in county groundwater as a concern you should know about.
The high iron in county wells causes orange and brown stains on sinks, bathtubs, and laundry. You may notice a metallic taste in your water. These stains and buildup are annoying to clean and hard to remove. Your water is soft, which is good news for your plumbing and appliances.
Testing your well is the only way to know exactly what is in your water so you can treat it properly. Every well is different, and your water may have higher or lower levels than what is common in the county. A comprehensive metals and minerals panel typically costs between two hundred and four hundred dollars. Iron removal systems and sediment filters can help treat these contaminants.
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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manganese | 5 | 60% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Iron | 6 | 50% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Radon | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Uranium | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Arsenic | 5 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Chloride | 19 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Fluoride | 12 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 6 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Lead | 5 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Nitrate | 12 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| Nitrite | 4 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 6 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 6 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 6 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 6 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Radon | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 12 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| Uranium | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 13 | — | Low | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 6 | — | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| pH | 9 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 13 | — | Low | 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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