Groundwater in Jackson County contains manganese, iron, arsenic, lead, and sulfate at concerning levels that exceed EPA health standards. Iron and sulfate reach very high concentrations, while arsenic and lead are toxic metals present above safe drinking water limits.
The rock layers beneath Jackson County naturally release iron and manganese into water as it moves through the ground. Arsenic also occurs naturally in these rock formations. Sulfate accumulates from both the local bedrock and from agricultural and land-use activities common to this region.
Groundwater in this county is very hard, with elevated calcium and magnesium, combined with very high iron and sulfate that dominate the water's character. The underlying rock naturally contains these minerals and releases them as water passes through. These characteristics are widespread across wells throughout the county.
Wells in Jackson County commonly exceed EPA health standards for arsenic, lead, manganese, and PFOA. Arsenic and lead are toxic metals that can harm your kidneys and damage brain development in children. Manganese at high levels affects the nervous system. PFOA is a human-made chemical that builds up in your body over time and poses serious health risks.
The water in this county is very hard and contains high sulfate levels. You will see orange or brown staining on laundry, sinks, and fixtures from iron. Hard water leaves white scale inside pipes and on fixtures. Very hard water shortens the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers. The water may taste salty or have a metallic taste.
Your well could have higher or lower levels than what is common here. Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your well so it can be properly treated. We recommend a comprehensive metals and minerals panel, which typically costs $200-400. Treatment options include reverse osmosis filters or specialized systems designed to remove multiple 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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manganese | 38 | 97% | Moderate | High | |
| Iron | 38 | 87% | Moderate | High | |
| Arsenic | 15 | 67% | Moderate | High | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 6 | 67% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 45 | 53% | Moderate | High | |
| Lead | 15 | 33% | Moderate | High | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 2 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Chloride | 52 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Fluoride | 28 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrate | 43 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrite | 24 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 2 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 2 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 2 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 41 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| pH | 20 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 2 | — | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 14 | — | 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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