Chloride, iron, manganese, nitrate, and radon are present in Newton County groundwater at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Well owners in this county need to be aware of these contaminants and should test their water.
Iron and manganese come from the local rocks breaking down as water moves through them underground. Nitrate enters from agricultural practices and septic systems in the area. Radon seeps from natural decay of radioactive elements in the rock and soil. Chloride accumulates from salt deposits in the deeper layers of rock and from road salt applied to the land surface.
Groundwater in Newton County is soft but notably high in iron, which comes from the iron-bearing rocks that make up the county's aquifer system. As water percolates through these rocks over time, iron dissolves into it. Iron at elevated levels appears in wells across this county with some regularity.
Wells in Newton County commonly exceed EPA health standards for chloride, iron, manganese, nitrate, and radon. Chloride at elevated levels can harm people with high blood pressure or heart disease. Iron and manganese can damage the nervous system, especially in children and infants. Nitrate poses serious risks to infants and can affect thyroid function. Radon is a radioactive gas that increases lung cancer risk when inhaled over time.
County wells are soft, which means mineral buildup is not a major concern for your appliances or plumbing. However, elevated iron can leave rust-colored stains on sinks, toilets, and laundry. You might notice a metallic or bitter taste in the water. These aesthetic problems do not affect your health but can be frustrating to deal with daily.
Your well is unique and may have higher or lower contamination than what is common across the county. Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your water so you can treat it properly. We recommend a comprehensive metals and minerals panel, which typically costs between $200 and $400. Treatment options like reverse osmosis systems or activated carbon filters can address multiple contaminants 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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iron | 98 | 50% | Moderate | High | |
| Manganese | 63 | 40% | Moderate | High | |
| Radon | 7 | 29% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Nitrate | 44 | 5% | Moderate |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Chloride | 28 | 4% | Moderate |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Arsenic | 57 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Fluoride | 159 | 0% | High | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Lead | 57 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrite | 7 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 28 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Uranium | 24 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Sodium | 28 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| pH | 24 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 8 | — | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 28 | — | 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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