Groundwater in Motley County contains nitrate, iron, and manganese at levels that exceed health standards. These contaminants warrant attention and testing of your individual well.
Nitrate enters groundwater from agricultural fertilizers and animal waste that seep downward through the soil. Iron and manganese occur naturally in the rock and sediment of the High Plains aquifer, dissolving into water as it moves through the ground.
Groundwater in this county is notable for elevated iron and manganese, which come from the rock layers of the High Plains aquifer. These minerals are common across wells throughout the county.
Wells in Motley County commonly have iron, manganese, and nitrate at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Nitrate is a concern for infants and can interfere with oxygen in the blood. Manganese and iron at elevated levels can affect how the body absorbs and uses nutrients over time.
Iron and manganese in county well water create visible staining on fixtures, clothes, and plumbing. These minerals can also leave a metallic taste in the water and build up as scale on pipes and appliances over time.
Testing your well is the only way to know what is actually in your water, since every well is different and yours may have higher or lower levels than what is common in the county. We recommend a comprehensive metals and minerals panel, which typically costs between two hundred and four hundred dollars. Water softeners and iron filters are treatment options that work for these types of contaminants.
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 | 4 | 25% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Iron | 65 | 20% | Moderate | High | |
| Manganese | 54 | 4% | Moderate |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Arsenic | 21 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Fluoride | 204 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Lead | 21 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Uranium | 5 | 0% | 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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