Well Water in Williams County: What to Test and Why

High Risk
Testing Strongly Recommended 51786 samples analyzed
Top Concerns in This County
Iron Manganese Arsenic

Why This Happens Here

Williams County sits above rock layers that are not the standard limestone or sandstone found in many neighboring areas. These mixed rock formations hold water in scattered spaces and cracks rather than in continuous layers. The rocks here are older and more varied in composition, creating an uneven underground water supply.

The absence of detected contaminants in Williams County reflects the protective geology overhead. A thick layer of clay and glacial material covers most of the county, acting as a barrier that blocks surface pollution from reaching the groundwater below. This dense seal prevents agricultural runoff, road salt, and other surface contaminants from filtering down to the water your well draws.

Since specific mineral data is not available for this area, the water character depends on the mixed rock composition underground. Water moving through varied rock picks up different minerals as it travels, creating inconsistent water quality from well to well. You should test your own well to know exactly what you are drinking.

What This Means for You

No contaminants are detected in Williams County well water, and nothing exceeds EPA health standards. This is good news for your family's drinking water. However, the county is designated as an arsenic priority area, which means arsenic has been found in other wells nearby. Testing your well is still the right step to confirm your water is clean.

Since no contaminants were found, you do not face the health risks that come with long-term exposure to metals or bacteria. Without mineral data available, we cannot say whether your water has staining, scaling, or taste issues. A full test will give you complete peace of mind about what is actually in your water.

Get your well tested by a state-certified lab to confirm these results and check for arsenic specifically. A basic health screen costs $50–100, while a comprehensive mineral and metals panel runs $200–400. Testing now protects your family and documents your water quality for the future.

Contaminant Detection Data

Contaminant Samples % Above MCL Distribution Confidence Risk
Iron 47 72% 23% · 6% · 70% Moderate High
Manganese 34 36% 47% · 18% · 35% Moderate High
Arsenic 15 21% 67% · 13% · 20% Moderate High
Chloride 59 10% 78% · 12% · 10% Moderate Moderate
Sulfate 58 9% 84% · 7% · 9% Moderate Moderate
Fluoride 22 0% 100% · 0% · 0% Moderate Low
Lead 9 0% 100% · 0% · 0% Low Low
Radon 10 0% 50% · 50% · 0% Low Low
Uranium 9 0% 100% · 0% · 0% Low Low
E. coli 1 0% 100% · 0% · 0% Low Safe
Hardness 19 Moderate Low
Nitrate 1 0% 100% · 0% · 0% Low Safe
Nitrate 2 Low Low
Nitrite 1 0% 100% · 0% · 0% Low Safe
pH 9 Low Low
Sodium 58 Moderate Low
Total Coliform 1 0% 100% · 0% · 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.

Population Health Context

Population-level CDC data. Not individual risk prediction.

7.9%
Cancer Prevalence
3.3%
Kidney Disease Rate

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