Lee County's groundwater contains iron, manganese, sulfate, chloride, and nitrate at levels that exceed EPA health standards. These contaminants appear at moderate to concerning concentrations across the county.
Iron and manganese occur naturally in the rock layers beneath Lee County and dissolve into groundwater as water moves slowly through the earth. Sulfate and chloride also come from minerals in the rock. Nitrate enters from agricultural and septic sources on the surface, seeping downward into the water below.
Groundwater in this county is moderately hard, driven by moderate iron and sulfate levels along with high sodium concentration. The rock beneath Lee County naturally releases these minerals as water flows through it over time. These characteristics are widespread across wells throughout the county.
Wells in Lee County commonly exceed EPA health standards for chloride, iron, manganese, nitrate, and sulfate. Chloride and sulfate at elevated levels can affect kidney and heart function over time, especially for people with existing health conditions. Nitrate is particularly concerning for infants and pregnant people, as it can interfere with oxygen in the blood. Iron and manganese in drinking water pose risks to the nervous system with long-term exposure.
The moderate hardness and mineral content in county wells creates visible quality-of-life issues. Orange or brown staining from iron appears on fixtures, laundry, and dishes. Manganese causes dark brown or black stains. High sodium gives water a salty taste that some people find unpleasant. Scale buildup in pipes and water heaters can shorten the lifespan of these appliances over time.
We recommend testing your well water to know what is actually in it. Every well in the county is different--your water could have higher or lower levels than what is common here. A comprehensive metals and minerals panel costs $200-400 and is the only way to know what needs treatment. Water softeners, iron filters, and reverse osmosis systems are available options depending 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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iron | 153 | 20% | High | High | |
| Manganese | 101 | 20% | High | High | |
| Sulfate | 43 | 14% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Chloride | 43 | 2% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrate | 46 | 2% | Moderate | Low | |
| Arsenic | 74 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Fluoride | 239 | 0% | High | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 20 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Lead | 74 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrite | 4 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 20 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 20 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 20 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 20 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Radon | 2 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Uranium | 26 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Sodium | 42 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| pH | 41 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 20 | — | Moderate | Safe | |
| Hardness | 42 | — | 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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