Groundwater in Caldwell County contains manganese, iron, nitrate, chloride, fluoride, and sulfate. Several of these contaminants exceed EPA health standards at concerning levels.
These contaminants come from the rock beneath the county and from human activities on the land above. The underlying rock naturally releases iron and manganese as water flows through it. Nitrate enters from fertilizers and septic systems used in farming and residential areas. Chloride and sulfate also occur naturally in the local rock layers.
The groundwater in this county is very hard, with elevated calcium and magnesium from the rock below. Iron and manganese add to the mineral character of the water. These characteristics are widespread across wells throughout the county, though individual wells vary in their exact mineral content.
Wells in Caldwell County commonly exceed EPA health standards for chloride, fluoride, iron, manganese, nitrate, and sulfate. Chloride and sulfate at elevated levels can affect people with heart or kidney problems and those on sodium-restricted diets. Fluoride above recommended levels can weaken bone strength over time. Iron and manganese can cause digestive issues and affect nervous system function with long-term exposure. Nitrate is especially harmful to infants and pregnant women.
The very hard water in this county causes noticeable quality-of-life problems. You'll see rust-colored and brown staining on fixtures and laundry from iron and manganese. White scale builds up inside pipes, on faucets, and inside appliances like water heaters and dishwashers, which can shorten their lifespan. Soap doesn't lather well, and the water may taste metallic or slightly salty.
We recommend testing your well water since multiple analytes exceed health standards. 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. A comprehensive metals and minerals panel typically costs between $200 and $400. Treatment options like water softeners, iron filters, and reverse osmosis systems can address different contaminants 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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manganese | 62 | 44% | Moderate | High | |
| Iron | 257 | 38% | High | High | |
| Nitrate | 246 | 33% | High | High | |
| Chloride | 302 | 23% | High | High | |
| Sulfate | 292 | 11% | High | Moderate | |
| Fluoride | 353 | 1% | High | Low | |
| Arsenic | 27 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 15 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Lead | 27 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrite | 7 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 15 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 15 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 15 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 15 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Radon | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Uranium | 11 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| Sodium | 169 | — | High | Low | |
| pH | 158 | — | High | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 15 | — | Moderate | Safe | |
| Hardness | 169 | — | 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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