Groundwater in Clark County contains manganese, iron, and radon that exceed EPA health standards. These contaminant levels are concerning and require testing and treatment.
The bedrock beneath Clark County naturally contains manganese and iron-bearing minerals that dissolve into groundwater as water moves through cracks in the rock. Radon forms from natural radioactive decay within these same rock layers. These contaminants are not from pollution--they come directly from the geology below.
Groundwater in Clark County is very hard, driven by elevated calcium and magnesium from the limestone and shale bedrock. The same rock layers that produce hardness also release iron and manganese into the water. These characteristics are widespread across wells throughout the county.
Wells in Clark County commonly contain arsenic, iron, manganese, nitrate, and radon at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Arsenic is a poison that builds up in your body over years and can cause serious health problems. Radon is a radioactive gas that increases lung cancer risk with long-term exposure. Manganese at elevated levels can affect brain development and nervous system function. Nitrate and iron also pose health concerns when present at high concentrations.
Your water is extremely hard, which means you will see thick white crusty buildup on faucets, showerheads, and inside pipes. Iron causes orange or rust-colored stains in sinks, toilets, and on laundry. Hard water this severe can shorten the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers. You may also notice a metallic taste in the water.
We recommend testing your well with a comprehensive metals and minerals panel, since multiple contaminants exceed health standards. Every well is different--your water may have higher or lower levels than what is common in the county. Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your well so it can be properly treated. A comprehensive panel typically costs $200-400. Treatment options include water softeners combined with point-of-entry systems designed for arsenic and radon removal.
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 | 193 | 63% | High | High | |
| Iron | 196 | 32% | High | High | |
| Radon | 15 | 7% | Moderate | Moderate ⓘ | |
| Nitrate | 79 | 1% | Moderate | Low | |
| Arsenic | 169 | 1% | High | Low | |
| Chloride | 878 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Fluoride | 141 | 0% | High | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 10 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| Lead | 187 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Nitrite | 68 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 10 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 10 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 10 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 10 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| Sulfate | 105 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Uranium | 34 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| E. coli | 6* | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Total Coliform | 6* | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 815 | — | High | Low | |
| pH | 465 | — | High | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 10 | — | Low | Low | |
| Hardness | 186 | — | 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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