Groundwater in Anderson County contains arsenic, iron, lead, and manganese at levels that exceed EPA health standards, along with elevated nitrate. These contaminants present real concerns for well owners and require attention.
The rock layers beneath Anderson County naturally release iron and manganese into groundwater. Arsenic also occurs naturally in these rock formations. Nitrate typically comes from fertilizer use, septic systems, or animal waste seeping down into the water below. The combination of natural mineral sources and human land use in this area creates multiple pathways for these contaminants to enter wells.
Groundwater in this county is soft with moderately elevated iron and notably high sodium. The soft rock and soil conditions here allow sodium and iron from deeper layers to dissolve and accumulate in the water. These characteristics show up across many wells in the county, though individual wells vary in exactly how much of each contaminant they contain.
Wells in Anderson County commonly contain arsenic, lead, nitrate, iron, and manganese at levels above EPA health standards. Arsenic can damage your kidneys and increase cancer risk over time. Lead harms brain development in children and affects nervous system function in adults. Nitrate is dangerous for infants and can cause serious illness. Manganese at high levels affects the nervous system, and iron buildup in your body causes organ damage.
The high sodium content in county wells can be a concern for people on sodium-restricted diets. County well water tends to have moderate iron, which causes orange or rust-colored staining on clothes, dishes, and fixtures. You may notice a metallic or unpleasant taste in your water. The water here is soft, so you won't see heavy scale buildup on fixtures or appliances.
Your well is unique and may have higher or lower levels of these contaminants than what is common in the county. Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your water so you can treat it properly. We recommend a comprehensive metals and minerals panel, which typically costs $200-400. Iron removal systems, lead filters, and nitrate treatment can address these concerns depending on your results.
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 | 378 | 24% | High | High | |
| Manganese | 174 | 10% | High | Moderate | |
| Nitrate | 32 | 3% | Moderate |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Lead | 124 | 2% | High | Low | |
| Arsenic | 125 | 1% | High | Low | |
| Chloride | 11 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| Fluoride | 459 | 0% | High | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 38 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Nitrite | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 38 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 38 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 38 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 38 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Radon | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 11 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| Uranium | 44 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 38 | — | Moderate | Safe | |
| Hardness | 11 | — | Low | Low | |
| Sodium | 11 | — | Low | Low | |
| pH | 11 | — | Low | 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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