Groundwater in Jackson County contains iron, manganese, and arsenic. These metals exceed EPA health standards, making testing and treatment important for well owners.
These contaminants dissolve naturally from the Pennsylvanian rock layers beneath the county. As groundwater sits in contact with these rocks over time, iron and manganese leach out in low-oxygen conditions deep underground. Arsenic is locked inside the rock and releases slowly into the water as it moves through.
Groundwater in Jackson County is very hard, driven by elevated calcium and magnesium from the limestone and rock below. Iron concentrations are notably high and common across wells. These mineral characteristics show up in most wells tested in the county.
Wells in Jackson County commonly contain arsenic, chloride, iron, manganese, and sulfate at levels exceeding EPA health standards. Arsenic is particularly serious because it builds up in your body over time and increases the risk of cancer and organ damage. Manganese can harm brain development in children. Iron and chloride themselves are not direct health hazards at these concentrations, but they indicate the mineral-rich nature of the groundwater here.
The high mineral content will create noticeable quality-of-life problems. Iron stains sinks, toilets, and laundry orange or brown. Manganese leaves dark brown or black stains. The water will taste metallic or bitter from sulfate and minerals. The extremely hard water will build scale inside pipes and appliances, shortening the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers.
We recommend testing your well through a state-certified lab because every well is different and your water may have higher or lower levels than what is common here. Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your well so it can be properly treated. Since multiple analytes exceed health standards, a comprehensive metals and minerals panel is recommended and typically costs $200-400. Treatment options like oxidation filtration systems or reverse osmosis can address these concerns.
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 | 54 | 83% | Moderate | High | |
| Manganese | 34 | 44% | Moderate | High | |
| Arsenic | 27 | 7% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Sulfate | 53 | 2% | Moderate | Low | |
| Chloride | 53 | 2% | Moderate | Low | |
| Fluoride | 33 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 30 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Lead | 12 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| Nitrite | 11 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 30 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 30 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 30 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 30 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Radon | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Uranium | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Nitrate | 16 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Sodium | 48 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| pH | 53 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 30 | — | Moderate | Safe | |
| Hardness | 53 | — | 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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