Groundwater in Knox County contains nitrate, sulfate, chloride, arsenic, fluoride, iron, and manganese at levels that exceed EPA health standards. These contamination levels are serious and require your attention.
These contaminants come from several sources in the landscape. Nitrate and chloride enter groundwater from agricultural activities and septic systems. Arsenic, fluoride, and the mineral salts occur naturally in the rock and soil layers beneath the county. Sulfate builds up in groundwater as water moves slowly through mineral-rich rock formations underground.
Groundwater in Knox County is very hard, with very high levels of sodium and sulfate that dominate the water's character. This extreme mineral content reflects the composition of the rock and soil in this region--water dissolves minerals as it passes through, accumulating salt and sulfate naturally. These characteristics are widespread across wells throughout the county.
Wells in Knox County commonly exceed EPA health standards for arsenic, chloride, fluoride, iron, manganese, nitrate, and sulfate. Arsenic builds up in your body over time and can damage your kidneys and nervous system. Nitrate is especially dangerous for babies and can prevent their blood from carrying oxygen properly. Fluoride at high levels can weaken tooth enamel and affect bone health. Manganese can harm your brain and nervous system with long-term exposure.
County well water is extremely hard, which causes stubborn staining on fixtures and dishes that regular cleaning won't remove. Scale builds up inside pipes and water heaters, shortening their lifespan and making them less efficient. You may notice a bitter or unpleasant taste from the high mineral content and sulfate levels. Soap doesn't lather well, and laundry and hair feel sticky or dull.
We recommend a comprehensive water test to find out what is actually in your well, since every well is different and yours could have higher or lower levels than the county average. Testing is the only way to know what needs treatment. A comprehensive metals and minerals panel runs between two hundred and four hundred dollars. Depending on results, treatment options like reverse osmosis, ion exchange softeners, or activated carbon filters can address multiple concerns at once.
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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nitrate | 88 | 76% | Moderate | High | |
| Sulfate | 119 | 67% | High | High | |
| Chloride | 119 | 52% | High | High | |
| Iron | 202 | 7% | High | Moderate | |
| Arsenic | 114 | 5% | High | Moderate | |
| Manganese | 194 | 4% | High |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Fluoride | 780 | 2% | High | Low | |
| Lead | 98 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrite | 37 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Uranium | 16 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Sodium | 54 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| pH | 68 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Hardness | 54 | — | 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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