Groundwater in Ingham County contains iron, manganese, and arsenic that well owners should be aware of. Arsenic exceeds EPA health standards, while iron and manganese are elevated as concerns.
These metals come naturally from the Pennsylvanian rock formation beneath the county. As groundwater sits in contact with these rocks in low-oxygen conditions deep underground, iron and manganese dissolve into the water, and arsenic locked inside the rock releases into the groundwater.
Groundwater in this county is very hard, driven by elevated calcium and magnesium that come from the rock below. The Pennsylvanian formation here naturally releases these minerals as water moves slowly through it. Hard water at this level is common across most wells in Ingham County.
Wells in Ingham County commonly contain arsenic, chloride, iron, manganese, and sulfate at levels exceeding EPA health standards. Arsenic is a poison that builds up in your body over time and increases your risk of cancer and other serious illnesses. Manganese can harm children's brain development. Chloride at elevated levels is a concern for people on sodium-restricted diets. Iron and sulfate themselves do not pose direct health risks at the levels found here, but they contribute to the overall mineral load in the water.
The very hard water in Ingham County will leave white crusty scale buildup on faucets, showerheads, and inside pipes. Iron at high levels stains sinks, toilets, and laundry orange or reddish-brown. Sulfate can give the water a bitter or unpleasant taste. Water this hard can shorten the lifespan of water heaters, dishwashers, and other appliances. You may also notice a metallic taste or odor in your water.
We recommend testing your well to find out what is actually in your water, since every well is different and your well may have higher or lower levels than what is common in the county. Testing is the only way to know which contaminants need treatment. A comprehensive metals and minerals panel typically costs $200 to $400. Treatment options like reverse osmosis systems or specialized arsenic removal can address multiple contaminants at once.
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 | 215 | 84% | High | High | |
| Manganese | 124 | 34% | High | High | |
| Arsenic | 83 | 5% | Moderate |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Sulfate | 248 | 2% | High | Low | |
| Chloride | 249 | 1% | High | Low | |
| Fluoride | 133 | 0% | High | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 54 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Lead | 39 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrite | 24 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 54 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 55 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 55 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 54 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Radon | 2 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Uranium | 16 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrate | 92 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Total Coliform | 16* | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Sodium | 216 | — | High | Low | |
| pH | 253 | — | High | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 54 | — | Moderate | Safe | |
| Hardness | 249 | — | High | Low | |
| Fecal Coliform | 16* | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| E. coli | 16* | 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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