Groundwater in Floyd County contains arsenic, fluoride, manganese, and iron at levels that exceed EPA health standards. These contaminants are present at concentrations serious enough that well owners need to know about them and consider testing and treatment.
The High Plains aquifer underlying this county naturally contains these metals and minerals. Arsenic and manganese occur in the rock layers themselves, while fluoride leaches into groundwater from minerals in the soil and stone as water moves through them. This is common across the High Plains region where neighboring counties share the same aquifer and similar geology.
Groundwater in this county is very hard, driven by high levels of calcium and magnesium dissolved from the rock as water passes through it. The elevated sodium and moderate iron further shape the water's mineral profile, all natural products of the local stone and aquifer conditions. These characteristics show up across many wells in the county because they come from the bedrock itself rather than from pollution or land use.
Wells in Floyd County commonly contain arsenic and fluoride at levels above EPA health standards. Arsenic exposure over time can increase the risk of cancer and cause other health problems in your organs. Fluoride at high levels can affect bone health and tooth development in children. These contaminants come from natural sources in the ground, not from pollution or human activity.
The water in this county is very hard, which means it has high mineral content. You might see white scale buildup on faucets, shower heads, and inside pipes. Hard water can make it harder to get soap to lather and may leave spots on dishes and glasses. Over time, very hard water can shorten the life of water heaters, dishwashers, and other appliances.
We recommend testing your well water to find out exactly what is in it, since every well is different and yours could have higher or lower levels than other wells in the county. A comprehensive panel that checks for metals and minerals costs between two hundred and four hundred dollars and is the only way to know what you're actually dealing with. Testing allows you to decide on the right treatment, whether that is a filter system, reverse osmosis, or another solution that fits your situation.
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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arsenic | 129 | 10% | High | Moderate | |
| Fluoride | 298 | 7% | High | Moderate | |
| Manganese | 142 | 4% | High |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Iron | 151 | 2% | High | Low | |
| Chloride | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Lead | 128 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Nitrate | 23 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrite | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Radon | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Uranium | 25 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Hardness | 1 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| pH | 1 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 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.
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