Pine County groundwater contains radon, manganese, and iron as the top detected contaminants. Several contaminants including arsenic, chloride, fluoride, iron, lead, manganese, nitrate, PFOA, PFOS, and radon exceed EPA health standards in this county.
These contaminants come from the mixed rock types beneath Pine County. Radon seeps up from naturally radioactive elements in the rock. Arsenic, manganese, and iron dissolve into groundwater as it moves through these rock layers over time. Nitrate and chloride enter from surface sources like fertilizer, septic systems, and road salt.
Groundwater in Pine County is moderately hard with elevated iron as the most notable mineral characteristic. Iron dissolves naturally from the rock as water percolates downward, and this elevated iron is widespread across wells in the county. The moderate hardness reflects calcium and magnesium from the mixed rock composition underlying the area.
Wells in Pine County commonly exceed EPA health standards for arsenic, lead, nitrate, fluoride, chloride, and the radioactive gas radon. Arsenic builds up in your body over time and can damage your skin and organs. Lead harms children's brain development and nervous system function. Nitrate is especially dangerous for babies and pregnant people. Radon increases lung cancer risk. Fluoride, chloride, and the industrial chemicals PFOA and PFOS also pose health concerns at elevated levels.
Iron and manganese in county wells create orange or brown staining on clothes, sinks, and toilets. You may notice a metallic or bitter taste in your water. Moderately hard water leaves white scale on fixtures and inside pipes. Hard water can shorten the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers.
We recommend a comprehensive metals and radon panel to find out what is actually in your well, since every well is different and yours could have higher or lower levels than what is common here. Testing is the only way to know what needs treatment. A comprehensive panel typically costs $200-400. Treatment options like activated carbon filters, ion exchange softeners, and radon venting systems can address these concerns once you know your results.
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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Radon | 3 | 67% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Manganese | 246 | 54% | High | High | |
| Iron | 241 | 50% | High | High | |
| PFOA | 38 | 26% | Moderate | High | |
| PFOS | 24 | 25% | Moderate | High | |
| Arsenic | 144 | 3% | High |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Lead | 146 | 3% | High |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Chloride | 239 | 1% | High | Low | |
| Nitrate | 153 | 1% | High | Low | |
| Fluoride | 199 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Nitrite | 95 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFHxS | 9 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 238 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Uranium | 52 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFNA | 18 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) | 18 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Sodium | 250 | — | High | Low | |
| pH | 57 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Hardness | 55 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS | 10 | — | 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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