Groundwater in Benton County contains lead, arsenic, pfoa, pfos, iron, manganese, nitrate, pfhxs, and uranium at levels that exceed EPA health standards. These contaminants represent a serious concern for well owners in this area.
Lead and arsenic enter the water naturally from bedrock and soil as groundwater moves through rock layers over time. Nitrate comes from fertilizer and septic systems on the land surface. Pfoa and pfos are industrial chemicals that have contaminated some wells through spills or disposal sites. Manganese and uranium also occur naturally in the rock and minerals surrounding the water.
Benton County groundwater is hard, driven by calcium and magnesium from the local rock. The underlying geology concentrates these minerals as water percolates slowly through the formation. Hard water combined with moderate iron levels is widespread across wells in this county.
Wells in Benton County commonly contain lead, arsenic, uranium, nitrate, PFOA, PFOS, and PFHXS at levels above EPA health standards. Lead harms brain development in children and raises blood pressure in adults. Arsenic and uranium increase cancer risk over time. Nitrate is especially dangerous for infants and can cause serious illness. PFOA, PFOS, and PFHXS are industrial chemicals linked to liver damage, thyroid problems, and weakened immunity.
The hard water in county wells can leave rust stains on fixtures and laundry. Scale builds up inside pipes and water heaters, shortening their lifespan. You may notice a metallic or slightly bitter taste in your water.
Testing your well is the only way to know what is actually in your water. Every well is different, and yours could have higher or lower levels than what is common here. We recommend a comprehensive metals and minerals panel, which typically costs $200-400. Depending on results, treatment options include activated carbon filters, reverse osmosis systems, or specialized equipment to remove specific contaminants.
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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 6 | 67% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 9 | 67% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Manganese | 30 | 57% | Moderate | High | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 9 | 44% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Iron | 134 | 31% | High | High | |
| Nitrate | 125 | 10% | High | Moderate | |
| Arsenic | 94 | 2% | Moderate | Low | |
| Uranium | 79 | 1% | Moderate | Low | |
| Lead | 94 | 1% | Moderate | Low | |
| Chloride | 148 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Fluoride | 118 | 0% | High | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 6 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Nitrite | 105 | 0% | High | Low | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 7 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 128 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Sodium | 123 | — | High | Low | |
| pH | 18 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 6 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 9 | — | 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.
Order a Tap Score Test →Population-level CDC data. Not individual risk prediction.
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