Groundwater in Armstrong County contains iron, fluoride, and arsenic at levels that exceed federal health standards. These contaminants are present at concerning amounts and require attention from well owners.
Arsenic and fluoride occur naturally in the rock and soil of the High Plains aquifer. As water moves slowly through the sand and gravel layers underground, it dissolves these elements from the rock itself. Iron also comes from minerals in the aquifer material. Agricultural and ranching activities in the area can concentrate some of these naturally occurring contaminants further.
Groundwater in this county is very hard, driven by elevated calcium and magnesium from the limestone and mineral-rich layers below. The High Plains aquifer's geology naturally concentrates these minerals as water percolates downward through the rock. Very hard water is widespread across wells in Armstrong County and the surrounding region.
Arsenic and fluoride are found at levels above EPA health standards in wells across Armstrong County. Arsenic is a poison that can cause skin problems and increase the risk of cancer with long-term exposure. High fluoride levels can damage children's developing teeth and bones. These contaminants come from natural rock and soil in the area.
Armstrong County has very hard water, which means white scale buildup on faucets, fixtures, and inside pipes. Hard water reduces how well soap works, leaving dishes and laundry spotted or streaky. It also shortens the lifespan of water heaters, dishwashers, and other appliances. You may notice a metallic or slightly salty taste in your water.
We recommend testing your well with a comprehensive metals and minerals panel to find out what is actually in your water. Every well is different, and your water could have higher or lower levels than what is common in the county. Testing costs between $200 and $400 and is the only way to know what treatment your well needs. Water softeners and reverse osmosis filters can address both hardness and some contaminants.
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 | 99 | 4% | Moderate |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Fluoride | 316 | 3% | High |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Arsenic | 87 | 2% | Moderate | Low | |
| Chloride | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Lead | 73 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Manganese | 93 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrate | 15 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrite | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Radon | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Uranium | 24 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Sodium | 1 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| pH | 1 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 1 | — | 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.
Loading recent water news…