Richmond County well owners need to be aware of manganese, iron, chloride, arsenic, and nitrate in their groundwater. Several of these contaminants exceed EPA health standards and warrant attention.
The rock basin beneath Richmond County naturally contains iron and manganese, which dissolve into groundwater as water moves through the stone. Chloride and nitrate enter from road salt, de-icing chemicals, and urban runoff. Arsenic also occurs naturally in the basin rock in this region.
Groundwater in this county is notably high in iron and sodium. The underlying basin rock releases these minerals as water flows through it over time. These characteristics show up across many wells throughout Richmond County.
Wells in Richmond County commonly exceed EPA health standards for arsenic, chloride, iron, manganese, and nitrate. Arsenic exposure over time increases the risk of cancer and can harm the kidneys and heart. Manganese at high levels can damage the developing brain, especially in infants and young children. Nitrate poses serious risks to infants and can affect oxygen in the blood. Elevated iron and chloride also create health concerns when present at high levels.
County wells with high iron leave rust-colored stains on clothes, dishes, and fixtures. Iron can also create a metallic taste in water and leave scale buildup inside pipes and appliances. The moderate sodium levels add a salty taste that some people notice. These minerals together can clog pipes and shorten the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers over time.
Your well is unique, and contamination levels vary from house to house in this county. We recommend a comprehensive metals and minerals panel to learn exactly what is in your water--testing is the only way to know. A comprehensive panel typically costs between two hundred and four hundred dollars. Treatment options like reverse osmosis systems or ion exchange can address multiple contaminants at once.
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 | 67 | 61% | Moderate | High | |
| Iron | 67 | 58% | Moderate | High | |
| Chloride | 67 | 15% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Nitrate | 67 | 7% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Arsenic | 67 | 3% | Moderate | Low | |
| Fluoride | 67 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 16 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Lead | 67 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrite | 67 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 16 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 16 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 16 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 16 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Sulfate | 67 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 16 | — | Moderate | Safe | |
| pH | 67 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Sodium | 67 | — | 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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