Groundwater in Hardin County contains manganese, chloride, iron, and lead that well owners should be aware of. Several of these contaminants exceed EPA health standards, making them a real concern for your water supply.
These contaminants come from the local geology and salt water that exists naturally in this coastal area. The rocks and soil here contain iron and manganese minerals that dissolve into groundwater over time. Chloride and other salts are part of the landscape from the Gulf Coast's marine history and can move into the water supply, especially in areas near the coast or where saltwater intrusion occurs.
Groundwater in this county is moderately hard, driven by moderate iron and moderately hard water minerals. The coastal lowlands geology here contains rocks and sediments that release these minerals into the water as it moves underground. These characteristics show up in wells across the county, though the exact levels vary from well to well.
Wells in Hardin County commonly have chloride, iron, lead, and manganese at levels above EPA health standards. Lead exposure can harm children's brain development and cause learning problems. Manganese at high levels can affect the nervous system and cause movement issues. Chloride itself is not toxic, but high levels indicate water quality problems. Iron and manganese together signal contamination pathways in the county's groundwater.
County well water has moderate iron content that causes reddish staining on fixtures, laundry, and plumbing. The water is moderately hard, which means scale buildup on pipes and reduced efficiency in water heaters and dishwashers. These appliances may wear out faster than normal. You may notice a metallic taste or staining on your skin and teeth over time.
We recommend testing your well with a comprehensive metals and minerals panel, which costs between $200 and $400. Every well is different, and your water could have higher or lower levels than the county average. Testing is the only way to know exactly what is in your well so you can treat it properly. Iron and manganese removal filters or water softeners are common solutions for wells in this area.
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 | 113 | 37% | High | High | |
| Chloride | 5 | 20% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Iron | 243 | 12% | High | Moderate | |
| Lead | 109 | 1% | High | Low | |
| Arsenic | 109 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Fluoride | 187 | 0% | High | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 26 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Nitrate | 22 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrite | 5 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 26 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 26 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 26 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 26 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Radon | 5 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 5 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Uranium | 53 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Hardness | 5 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 26 | — | Moderate | Safe | |
| pH | 5 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 5 | — | 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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