Groundwater in Floyd County contains arsenic, fluoride, and manganese at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Iron also appears at moderate levels. These contaminants are serious enough that well owners in this area should test their water and consider treatment.
These contaminants come from the rock layers beneath Floyd County. Arsenic and manganese occur naturally in the sand and gravel that make up the High Plains aquifer. As water sits in the ground and moves slowly through these layers, it dissolves these metals over time. Fluoride also occurs naturally in the rock in this region.
Groundwater in Floyd County is very hard, driven by high calcium and magnesium dissolved from the rock. The sandy and gravelly composition of the High Plains aquifer allows water to pick up and hold onto these minerals as it filters down. These hard-water characteristics appear across wells throughout the county.
Arsenic, fluoride, iron, and manganese are found at elevated levels in wells across Floyd County. Arsenic can damage your kidneys and increase cancer risk over time. Fluoride at high levels can affect bone and tooth development. Manganese can harm your nervous system with long-term exposure. Iron and manganese together create multiple health concerns when present in drinking water.
The very hard water in this county will cause visible staining and scale buildup. Rust-colored stains from iron will appear on fixtures, dishes, and laundry. Manganese creates similar dark stains. Hard water this severe shortens the lifespan of water heaters, dishwashers, and other appliances. You may also notice reduced soap lathering and difficulty cleaning.
Since multiple contaminants exceed health standards in county wells, we recommend a comprehensive metals and minerals panel to see what is actually in your water. Every well is different, and your water may have higher or lower levels than what is common here. Testing is the only way to know what needs treatment. A comprehensive panel typically costs $200 to $400. Water softeners and reverse osmosis systems can address these concerns, but the right choice depends 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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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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