Groundwater in Wheeler County contains manganese, arsenic, and chloride. Manganese is present at levels that exceed EPA health standards, so this is a concern that well owners need to address.
Manganese comes from the rocks and soil in this area. As water moves through the ground, it picks up manganese from the surrounding material. Arsenic and chloride also occur naturally in the rocks here, though at lower levels that do not exceed health limits.
Groundwater in Wheeler County is hard, driven by calcium and magnesium from the rock and soil layers. The surficial sandy and gravelly materials here allow water to move through and collect these minerals as it sits underground. Hard water is common across most wells in this county.
Manganese is showing up at high levels in Wheeler County wells beyond what the EPA allows for health protection. Breathing in or swallowing too much manganese can harm your nervous system and cause problems with movement and thinking. Children are at higher risk from manganese exposure. Testing your well water is the first step to find out if this is a concern for your family.
Wells in this county tend to be hard, which causes scale buildup in pipes and on fixtures like faucets and showerheads. Hard water makes soap less effective and can leave spots on dishes and glass. Your water heater and dishwasher may wear out faster because of the mineral deposits. You might also notice a dry feeling on your skin after showering.
We recommend getting your well tested right away to know exactly what is in your water, since every well is different and yours could have higher or lower levels than the county average. A comprehensive test for metals and minerals runs between two hundred and four hundred dollars and will show you what needs treatment. Depending on what testing reveals, options like manganese filters or water softeners can help protect your family and improve your water quality.
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 | 2 | 50% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 4 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 4 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Nitrite | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Fluoride | 4 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Nitrate | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 4 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 5 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| pH | 5 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 5 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 5 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 4 | — | Low | Safe ⓘ |
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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