Groundwater in Jackson County contains radon, manganese, and chloride that well owners should monitor. Several of these contaminants, including arsenic, chloride, iron, manganese, and radon, exceed EPA health standards and warrant attention.
These contaminants come from the rock and soil in the coastal lowlands geology beneath the county. The sandy and clay layers here naturally contain these minerals and radioactive elements. As water moves slowly underground, it dissolves these substances from the surrounding rock over time.
Groundwater in this county is very hard, driven by high levels of sodium and calcium that accumulate in the aquifer. The coastal lowlands rock releases these dissolved salts into the water as it filters down through the layers. Very hard water is widespread across wells in Jackson County.
Arsenic, radon, and manganese are found at levels exceeding EPA health standards in wells across Jackson County. Arsenic builds up in your body over time and can damage your kidneys and increase cancer risk. Radon is a radioactive gas that enters groundwater from rocks underground and can increase lung cancer risk if you breathe it in. Manganese affects the nervous system, especially in children, and can cause learning and behavior problems.
Jackson County's groundwater is very hard, which means water leaves white scale buildup on faucets, fixtures, and inside pipes. Hard water shortens the lifespan of water heaters, dishwashers, and washing machines. You may also notice rust stains from elevated iron, a metallic or sulfur taste, and soap that does not lather well. The high sodium content adds to these quality-of-life challenges.
We recommend testing your well because every well in this county is different--yours could have much higher or lower levels of these contaminants. A comprehensive metals and minerals panel costs between $200 and $400 and is the only way to know exactly what is in your water so you can treat it properly. Depending on results, treatment options include arsenic filters, radon venting systems, and iron removal units.
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 ⓘ | |
| Manganese | 123 | 23% | High | High | |
| Chloride | 81 | 19% | Moderate | High | |
| Iron | 183 | 10% | High | Moderate | |
| Arsenic | 103 | 1% | High | Low | |
| Fluoride | 363 | 0% | High | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 4 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Lead | 103 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Nitrate | 43 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrite | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 4 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 4 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 4 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 4 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 70 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Uranium | 37 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Sodium | 70 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| pH | 67 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 4 | — | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 70 | — | Moderate | 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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