Iron, arsenic, and manganese are present in Colorado County's groundwater and well owners should be aware of them. These contaminants exceed EPA health standards at concerning levels in this area.
The coastal lowlands geology beneath Colorado County naturally contains iron and manganese in its rock and soil layers. Arsenic also occurs naturally in these underground formations. As water moves through the ground, it dissolves these metals and brings them into wells.
Groundwater in this county is notable for elevated iron and manganese, the metals that drive its mineral character. These metals concentrate in the coastal lowlands because water moving through the rock dissolves them over time. Many wells across Colorado County show these characteristics.
Wells in Colorado County commonly contain arsenic, iron, and manganese at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Arsenic is a poison that builds up in your body over time and can damage your kidneys, heart, and nervous system. Manganese at high levels can affect how your brain works and your ability to learn. Iron and manganese themselves are not poisons, but they signal that your well water needs attention.
Wells in this county show moderate iron levels that create orange or brown staining on sinks, toilets, and laundry. The water may taste metallic or have an unpleasant smell. These stains are stubborn to clean and can damage your fixtures over time. Hard water from iron buildup can shorten the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers.
We recommend testing your well right away since arsenic is present at dangerous levels in county wells. Every well is different, and yours could have higher or lower levels than what is common here. Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your water so you can treat it properly. A comprehensive metals and minerals panel typically costs $200-400 and will show you exactly what needs to be addressed. Treatment options like reverse osmosis or activated carbon filters can remove arsenic and iron.
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 | 285 | 28% | High | High | |
| Arsenic | 133 | 4% | High |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Manganese | 232 | 1% | High | Low | |
| Fluoride | 366 | 0% | High | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Lead | 122 | 0% | High | Safe | |
| Nitrate | 26 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Uranium | 52 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 8 | — | 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.
* 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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