Groundwater in Douglas County contains arsenic, chloride, iron, lead, manganese, nitrate, PFOA, PFOS, and sulfate at levels exceeding EPA health standards. Iron reaches very high levels, and the overall contamination picture is concerning across multiple contaminants.
The rock beneath Douglas County releases iron, manganese, and arsenic naturally into the water as it passes through. Nitrate, chloride, sulfate, and the industrial chemicals PFOA and PFOS enter from human activities on the land above--fertilizer use, septic systems, and industrial or commercial sources. This combination of natural and human-caused contamination is typical for this region.
Groundwater in Douglas County is very hard, driven by elevated calcium and magnesium, and contains very high iron from the rock below. The same rock that produces hardness also naturally dissolves iron and manganese over time as water moves through it. These characteristics are widespread across wells throughout the county.
Wells in Douglas County commonly contain arsenic, lead, nitrate, chloride, sulfate, and industrial chemicals called PFOA and PFOS at levels above EPA health standards. Arsenic damages organs and increases cancer risk. Lead harms children's brain development and causes learning problems. Nitrate reduces blood oxygen, especially in babies. Manganese affects the nervous system and brain function.
The county's water is extremely hard, which causes white scale buildup inside pipes and appliances. Iron at high levels creates rust-colored stains on laundry, dishes, and fixtures. Hard water makes soap work poorly and shortens the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers. You may notice a metallic or bitter taste in your water.
Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your well, since every well is different and yours could have higher or lower levels than others in the county. We recommend a comprehensive metals and minerals panel to check for all these contaminants, which typically costs $200-400. Treatment options like water softeners, iron filters, and activated carbon filters can address different problems once you know what you're dealing with.
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 | 92 | 80% | Moderate | High | |
| Iron | 95 | 62% | Moderate | High | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 17 | 59% | Moderate | High | |
| Arsenic | 45 | 38% | Moderate | High | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 10 | 30% | Low | High | |
| Sulfate | 103 | 7% | High | Moderate | |
| Lead | 44 | 2% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrate | 66 | 2% | Moderate | Low | |
| Chloride | 107 | 1% | High | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 2 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Fluoride | 74 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrite | 46 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 2 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 6 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Uranium | 35 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Sodium | 76 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 2 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| pH | 79 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Hardness | 24 | — | 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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