Groundwater in Stonewall County contains sulfate, chloride, nitrate, fluoride, iron, lead, and manganese. Several of these contaminants exceed EPA health standards, with chloride, sulfate, and sodium reaching very high levels.
These contaminants come from the rock layers below and from human activity on the land. The underlying rock naturally contains dissolved minerals that leach into the water. Nitrate and chloride can also enter from agricultural practices, wastewater, and road salt used in the area.
Groundwater in this county is very hard, driven by extremely high levels of sodium and sulfate along with elevated iron and manganese. The rock formations here dissolve readily, releasing these minerals into the water as it flows underground. These characteristics are widespread across wells in Stonewall County.
Wells in Stonewall County commonly show concerning levels of chloride, fluoride, iron, lead, manganese, nitrate, and sulfate--all above EPA health standards. Lead exposure harms children's brain development and learning. Fluoride at high levels can damage bones and teeth. Manganese affects the nervous system. Nitrate is especially dangerous for babies and can reduce oxygen in their blood. Chloride and sulfate at elevated levels also present health risks to your family.
County well water is extremely hard with very high sodium and sulfate levels. This creates stubborn staining on fixtures and dishes, builds thick scale inside pipes and appliances, and gives water a salty or bitter taste. The extreme hardness will shorten the lifespan of your water heater and dishwasher. You'll spend more on cleaning products and repairs.
We recommend a comprehensive water test right away since your county has multiple health concerns. Every well is different--yours could have higher or lower levels than what's common here. Testing is the only way to know what's actually in your water so you can treat it properly. A comprehensive panel typically costs $200 to $400 and will guide you toward solutions like reverse osmosis, water softening, or other targeted treatments.
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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sulfate | 58 | 100% | Moderate | High | |
| Chloride | 58 | 64% | Moderate | High | |
| Nitrate | 5 | 40% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Manganese | 20 | 30% | Moderate | High | |
| Lead | 20 | 30% | Moderate | High | |
| Iron | 20 | 5% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Fluoride | 107 | 1% | High | Low | |
| Arsenic | 20 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Uranium | 2 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 38 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| pH | 38 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Sodium | 38 | — | 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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