Groundwater in Mason County contains chloride, iron, and manganese at levels that exceed EPA health standards. These elevated concentrations warrant attention from well owners in the area.
These contaminants come from the rock layers beneath Mason County. Iron and manganese dissolve naturally into groundwater as water moves slowly through the underground rocks. Chloride enters through road salt that seeps down from winter applications on roads and driveways.
Groundwater in Mason County is very hard, driven by elevated calcium and magnesium from the rock below. The local geology naturally produces these hardness minerals as water sits in contact with the stone underground. Very hard water is common across wells in this county.
Wells in Mason County commonly contain chloride, iron, and manganese at levels exceeding EPA health standards. Long-term exposure to elevated chloride can affect blood pressure and increase health risks in people with heart disease. Iron at high levels can build up in your body and damage organs over time. Manganese exposure can harm your nervous system and brain development, especially in children.
The water in this county is extremely hard, which means white, crusty scale builds up on pipes, faucets, and inside appliances like water heaters and dishwashers. These deposits can shorten how long your appliances last. You may also notice orange or brown staining on sinks and laundry from iron, and the water may taste metallic or unpleasant.
We recommend testing your well water to find out what is actually in it, since every well is different and your water may have higher or lower levels than what is common in the county. Testing is the only way to know what needs to be treated. A comprehensive metals and minerals panel typically costs between two hundred and four hundred dollars. Iron filters or water softeners can help reduce some of 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 | 4 | 25% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Manganese | 4 | 25% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Chloride | 4 | 25% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Nitrate | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Arsenic | 4 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Fluoride | 4 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 4 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Lead | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Nitrite | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 4 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 4 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 4 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 4 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 4 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 4 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 4 | — | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| pH | 4 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 4 | — | 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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