Groundwater in Macomb County contains manganese, iron, and lead--all three exceed EPA health standards. These contaminant levels are serious and warrant immediate attention.
The rock beneath Macomb County naturally contains iron and manganese, which dissolve into groundwater as water moves slowly through the soil and stone. Lead enters from old plumbing materials and pipes in homes and wells. Road salt spread during winter also contributes chloride that seeps down into the water supply.
Groundwater in this county is very hard, driven by elevated calcium and magnesium from the limestone and mineral-rich rock below. Iron concentrations at these levels come from natural minerals in the bedrock that dissolve as water sits in contact with the stone over time. These hard-water characteristics are common across wells throughout Macomb County.
Wells in Macomb County commonly contain iron, lead, and manganese at levels exceeding EPA health standards. Iron can harm your blood and organs over time. Lead is especially dangerous for children and can affect brain development and learning. Manganese can damage the nervous system and cause developmental problems in young children.
Wells in this county produce water with very hard minerals. The high iron content causes orange-brown staining on sinks, toilets, and laundry. You may notice a metallic taste or smell. The extremely hard water can shorten the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers by building up scale inside them.
We recommend testing your well water as soon as possible. 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 what is actually in your water so it can be properly treated. Since multiple analytes exceed health standards here, a comprehensive metals and minerals panel is recommended, which typically costs $200-400. Treatment options like whole-house sediment filters or ion exchange systems can help 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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manganese | 12 | 83% | Low | High | |
| Iron | 16 | 62% | Moderate | High | |
| Lead | 11 | 36% | Low | High | |
| Nitrate | 13 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| Arsenic | 11 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| Chloride | 17 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Fluoride | 12 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 91 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Nitrite | 12 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 91 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 91 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 91 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 91 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Radon | 2 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 13 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| Uranium | 7 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| E. coli | 118* | 0% | High | Low | |
| Hardness | 13 | — | Low | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 91 | — | Moderate | Safe | |
| pH | 137 | — | High | Low | |
| Sodium | 12 | — | Low | Low | |
| Total Coliform | 73* | 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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