Groundwater in Wayne County contains iron, manganese, arsenic, chloride, lead, sulfate, and PFOA. Several of these contaminants exceed EPA health standards and warrant immediate attention.
These contaminants come from the Mississippian rock layers beneath the county. Iron and manganese dissolve naturally as groundwater sits in contact with these rocks over long periods. Arsenic hides in the bedrock itself. Chloride enters partly from road salt applied to highways and spreads downward into the water. Sulfate releases from sulfur-bearing minerals in the rock as water slowly moves through cracks and fractures.
Groundwater in this county is very hard, with elevated calcium and magnesium, combined with very high iron levels that add further mineral load. The slow movement of water through dense rock layers allows these minerals to concentrate over time. These characteristics are widespread across wells in Wayne County.
Wells in Wayne County commonly contain arsenic, lead, and PFOA at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Arsenic builds up in your body over years and increases the risk of cancer and heart disease. Lead harms brain development in children and can damage the nervous system in adults. PFOA is a chemical linked to serious health effects including liver damage and immune system problems. Manganese at elevated levels can affect brain development and nervous system function.
Hard water in this county leaves thick white scale on fixtures, pipes, and appliances. Iron stains sinks, toilets, and laundry orange and brown. Very hard water can shorten the lifespan of water heaters, dishwashers, and washing machines. You may notice a metallic taste in the water or reddish sediment in your taps.
We recommend testing your well with a comprehensive metals and minerals panel because every well is different and 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 treated properly. A comprehensive panel typically costs $200-400. Treatment options include water softeners combined with arsenic and lead removal systems.
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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iron | 150 | 89% | High | High | |
| Manganese | 145 | 88% | High | High | |
| Arsenic | 96 | 54% | Moderate | High | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 8 | 12% | Low | Moderate ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 57 | 4% | Moderate |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Chloride | 152 | 3% | High | Low | |
| Lead | 103 | 2% | High | Low | |
| Fluoride | 132 | 0% | High | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Nitrite | 22 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Nitrate | 26 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 8 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| pH | 214 | — | High | Low | |
| Sodium | 153 | — | High | Low | |
| Hardness | 131 | — | 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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