Groundwater in Fayette County contains arsenic, radon, lead, nitrate, and chloride at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Iron and manganese are also detected at moderate concentrations that warrant attention.
These contaminants arise from multiple sources in the county's mixed rock layers. Iron and manganese dissolve naturally from the rock as groundwater moves slowly through the aquifer. Arsenic and lead also occur naturally in the local geology. Nitrate, chloride, and radon accumulate from both natural processes and human activities like agriculture and past industrial use.
Fayette County groundwater is moderately hard, with very high sodium and moderate iron as its defining mineral traits. These minerals dissolve naturally as water sits in contact with the county's rock layers over time. Most wells across the county show these same characteristics.
Wells in Fayette County commonly have arsenic, chloride, fluoride, lead, nitrate, and radon at levels above EPA health standards. Arsenic builds up in your body over time and can harm your kidneys and increase cancer risk. Lead damages children's brain development even at low levels. Nitrate is especially dangerous for babies and can interfere with how their blood carries oxygen. Radon is a radioactive gas that increases lung cancer risk. Fluoride at high levels can affect bone health and children's tooth development.
County well water is moderately hard and contains high sodium. You may notice rust-colored or brown staining on fixtures and laundry from iron and manganese. The water might taste salty or metallic. Scale can build up inside pipes and water heaters over time, which may shorten the lifespan of appliances like dishwashers and water heaters. These mineral deposits are stubborn to clean.
Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your well, since every well is different and yours may have higher or lower levels than what is common here. A comprehensive metals and minerals panel that checks for all these contaminants typically costs $200 to $400. Treatment options like water softeners, iron filters, and reverse osmosis systems can address different concerns depending on your test 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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Radon | 1 | 100% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Iron | 304 | 31% | High | High | |
| Manganese | 253 | 27% | High | High | |
| Chloride | 16 | 25% | Moderate | High | |
| Arsenic | 90 | 18% | Moderate | High | |
| Sulfate | 16 | 6% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Nitrate | 32 | 3% | Moderate |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Lead | 79 | 3% | Moderate | Low | |
| Fluoride | 596 | 0% | High | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 18 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Nitrite | 3 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 18 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 18 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 18 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 18 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Uranium | 23 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Hardness | 14 | — | Low | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 18 | — | Moderate | Safe | |
| pH | 13 | — | Low | Low | |
| Sodium | 14 | — | 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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