Groundwater in Morgan County contains radon, manganese, and sulfate at levels that exceed EPA health standards, along with arsenic, chloride, iron, and lead. These contaminant levels are concerning and require attention.
The rock beneath Morgan County is Pennsylvanian shale and sandstone that naturally holds these minerals and radioactive elements. As groundwater moves slowly through cracks in the rock, radon gas seeps out, while manganese, iron, arsenic, and sulfate dissolve directly from the stone. Sulfate forms when water reacts with iron sulfide minerals in the shale layers.
Groundwater in Morgan County is very hard, driven by elevated calcium and magnesium from the rock layers below. The slow movement of water through the shale and sandstone allows these minerals to concentrate over time. Most wells in the county show this same pattern of very hard water combined with moderate sulfate.
Wells in Morgan County commonly exceed EPA health standards for arsenic, lead, radon, and manganese. Arsenic is a poison that builds up in your body over time and is linked to cancer and organ damage. Lead is especially dangerous for children and can harm brain development and learning. Radon is a radioactive gas that enters your lungs when you shower or use hot water. Manganese is a metal that can affect how your brain and nervous system work.
The water in this county is extremely hard, which means thick white scale builds up inside pipes and on fixtures. Iron causes orange-brown or rust-colored stains on sinks, toilets, and laundry. The high sulfate levels can give water a bitter taste and salty smell. Very hard water also shortens the lifespan of water heaters, dishwashers, and other appliances.
We recommend testing your well right away since every well is different and yours may have higher or lower levels than what is common here. Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your water so it can be properly treated. A comprehensive metals and minerals panel typically costs $200 to $400. Treatment options like whole-house systems combining sediment filters, radon removal, and water softeners can address multiple concerns 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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Radon | 1 | 100% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Manganese | 84 | 43% | Moderate | High | |
| Sulfate | 32 | 9% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Iron | 92 | 8% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Arsenic | 58 | 3% | Moderate |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Chloride | 93 | 3% | Moderate |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Lead | 58 | 2% | Moderate | Low | |
| Fluoride | 69 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrite | 2 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Uranium | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Nitrate | 24 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| E. coli | 1* | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 68 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| pH | 54 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Sodium | 93 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Total Coliform | 1* | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ |
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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