Well owners in Pope County need to be aware of arsenic, iron, manganese, lead, and nitrate in their groundwater. Several of these contaminants exceed EPA health standards at concerning levels.
The rock beneath Pope County naturally releases arsenic and manganese into the water. Iron and lead can leach from the rock and soil, while nitrate enters from agricultural activity and septic systems in this farming region.
Groundwater in Pope County is very hard, driven by elevated calcium and magnesium from the underlying rock. This hardness reflects the mineral-rich character of the bedrock in this area. Very hard water is widespread across wells throughout the county.
Wells in Pope County commonly contain arsenic, lead, manganese, and nitrate at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Arsenic damages the kidneys and increases cancer risk with long-term exposure. Lead harms children's brain development and learning. Manganese affects the nervous system and brain function. Nitrate is especially dangerous for infants and can cause serious illness.
The water in Pope County is extremely hard, which causes mineral scale to build up inside pipes and appliances like water heaters and dishwashers, shortening their lifespan. You may see reddish-brown staining from iron on fixtures and laundry. Hard water makes soap less effective and can leave your skin and hair feeling stiff. Some people notice a metallic taste in the water.
We recommend testing your well with a comprehensive metals and minerals panel, since every well is different and yours could have higher or lower levels than what is common in the county. Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your water so it can be properly treated. A comprehensive panel typically costs between $200 and $400. Water softeners and iron filtration systems can help address 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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manganese | 196 | 69% | High | High | |
| Iron | 198 | 67% | High | High | |
| Arsenic | 84 | 48% | Moderate | High | |
| Sulfate | 284 | 7% | High | Moderate | |
| Nitrate | 117 | 4% | High |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Lead | 80 | 2% | Moderate | Low | |
| Chloride | 331 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Fluoride | 174 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Nitrite | 114 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Uranium | 69 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Hardness | 83 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| pH | 201 | — | High | Low | |
| Sodium | 172 | — | High | 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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