Groundwater in Butler County contains manganese, iron, arsenic, chloride, sulfate, and PFOA and PFOS at levels that exceed EPA health standards. These contaminant levels are concerning enough to warrant testing and treatment.
The Mississippian rock beneath Butler County naturally contains iron and manganese that dissolve into groundwater as it moves slowly through cracks and gaps in the stone. Arsenic occurs naturally in these rocks as well. Chloride and sulfate accumulate from deep underground sources and from road salt that seeps down through soil into wells. PFOA and PFOS are human-made chemicals that have entered some wells, likely from industrial or commercial sources in the area.
Groundwater in this county is hard, driven by elevated calcium and magnesium from the limestone and rock layers below. Iron is also present at high concentrations, adding to the mineral load. Hard water with elevated iron is common across wells in Butler County.
Wells in Butler County commonly contain arsenic, PFOA, PFOS, and manganese at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Arsenic can damage your kidneys and increase cancer risk with long-term exposure. PFOA and PFOS are industrial chemicals linked to serious health problems. Manganese at high levels can harm brain development and nervous system function.
County well water is hard and contains elevated iron, which creates staining on sinks, toilets, and laundry. You may notice orange or brown discoloration. Hard water this severe can shorten the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers due to scale buildup inside pipes and appliances.
We recommend testing your well with a comprehensive metals and radon panel, since multiple analytes exceed health standards. Every well is different, and your well 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 water so it can be properly treated. Water softeners combined with aeration and activated carbon filters can address many of these concerns.
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 | 17 | 88% | Moderate | High | |
| Iron | 30 | 57% | Moderate | High | |
| Arsenic | 5 | 20% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Chloride | 32 | 9% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 246 | 8% | High | Moderate | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 246 | 6% | High | Moderate | |
| Sulfate | 31 | 6% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Fluoride | 18 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 198 | 0% | High | Safe | |
| Lead | 6 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Nitrate | 20 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrite | 6 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 28 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 28 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Radon | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Uranium | 5 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 29 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| pH | 18 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 198 | — | High | Low | |
| Hardness | 31 | — | 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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