Groundwater in Grant County contains arsenic, pfoa, manganese, iron, lead, chloride, and sulfate. Several of these contaminants exceed EPA health standards, making them a real concern for well owners in this area.
These contaminants come from a mix of sources in the local rock and human activities. Arsenic and manganese occur naturally in the rock layers beneath the county. Pfoa and lead likely enter groundwater from industrial or commercial use, past disposal sites, or old plumbing. Chloride and sulfate can seep in from road salt, agricultural runoff, and natural mineral deposits in the soil.
Groundwater in this county is very hard, driven by high levels of sulfate, calcium, and magnesium from the rock below. The underlying rock dissolves slowly as water moves through it, releasing these minerals into wells across the region. Most wells in Grant County show this very hard water character.
Wells in Grant County have been found to contain arsenic, lead, chloride, sulfate, iron, manganese, and PFOA at levels above EPA health standards. Arsenic and lead are toxic metals that build up in your body over time and can damage your kidneys, nerves, and bones. Manganese affects your brain and nervous system. PFOA is a chemical linked to health problems including cancer, liver damage, and thyroid disease.
The very hard water in county wells causes stubborn stains on fixtures and dishes that are hard to clean. Scale builds up inside pipes and appliances, shortening the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers. You may notice a metallic or bitter taste from the minerals, and some people detect a rotten egg smell from sulfate and iron.
We recommend testing your well to know exactly what you are dealing with. Every well is different, and yours could have higher or lower levels than what is common in the county. A comprehensive panel testing for metals and minerals costs between $200 and $400 and is the only way to know what needs treatment. Water softening systems and iron filters can help address many 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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PFOA | 6 | 100% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Arsenic | 11 | 91% | Low | High | |
| Manganese | 29 | 72% | Moderate | High | |
| Iron | 48 | 43% | Moderate | High | |
| Sulfate | 52 | 40% | Moderate | High | |
| Lead | 11 | 27% | Low | High | |
| Chloride | 48 | 2% | Moderate | Low | |
| Fluoride | 14 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| PFNA | 2 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Uranium | 6 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFHxS | 6 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Nitrite | 21 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrate | 21 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS | 6 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 12 | — | — | Low | Low |
| Fecal Coliform | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| E. coli | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 29 | — | — | Moderate | Low |
| pH | 7 | — | — | 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.
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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