Well owners in Taylor County should be aware of fluoride, iron, manganese, nitrate, and PFHXS, PFOA, and PFOS in their groundwater. Several of these contaminants exceed EPA health standards and warrant attention.
Fluoride, manganese, and nitrate enter groundwater through natural dissolution from rock and from human activities like fertilizer use. The PFAS chemicals (PFHXS, PFOA, PFOS) are synthetic compounds that have contaminated groundwater through industrial or consumer product use and persist in the environment. The underlying rock in this area naturally releases fluoride and manganese into water as it percolates down.
Groundwater in this county is marked by elevated fluoride and manganese from the rock below. As water moves through these rock layers over time, it dissolves these minerals and carries them into wells. Elevated levels of both contaminants appear across the county's wells, though individual wells vary in concentration.
Wells in Taylor County can contain fluoride, iron, manganese, nitrate, and PFAS chemicals at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Fluoride exposure can affect tooth and bone development. Manganese can harm the developing brain and nervous system, especially in children. Nitrate poses serious risks to infants and can interfere with how the body uses oxygen. PFAS chemicals accumulate in your body over time and are linked to health concerns including liver damage and immune system effects.
Iron and manganese in county wells create staining on fixtures, laundry, and dishes that is difficult to remove. You might notice a metallic or bitter taste in your water. These minerals can also corrode pipes and reduce the lifespan of appliances like water heaters and dishwashers.
Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your well, since every well is different and your water 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. Depending on test results, treatment options like water softeners, reverse osmosis systems, or activated carbon filters can help address specific concerns.
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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 33 | 58% | Moderate | High | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 33 | 58% | Moderate | High | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 33 | 58% | Moderate | High | |
| Manganese | 43 | 49% | Moderate | High | |
| Nitrate | 14 | 43% | Low | High | |
| Iron | 35 | 6% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Fluoride | 396 | 1% | High | Low | |
| Arsenic | 21 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 33 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Lead | 27 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 33 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Uranium | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 33 | — | 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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