Well Water in Taylor County: What to Test and Why

Groundwater in Taylor County contains PFOA, PFOS, and PFHXS--industrial chemicals used in firefighting foam and non-stick coatings. The county also has elevated fluoride, iron, manganese, and nitrate that exceed EPA health standards, making these contaminants a real concern for well owners.

These contaminants come from different sources. PFOA, PFOS, and PFHXS typically enter groundwater from industrial sites, airports, or military bases where they were sprayed or disposed of. Nitrate usually comes from fertilizers and septic systems in rural areas. Fluoride occurs naturally in the rock, while iron and manganese dissolve from the surrounding rock layers as water moves underground.

Groundwater in this county is notable for elevated iron and manganese, both of which dissolve from the rock in this area. These minerals concentrate in water because of the local rock composition and the slightly acidic conditions that allow them to stay dissolved as the water travels underground. Many wells across Taylor County show these mineral characteristics, though levels and which contaminants appear can vary from well to well.

Wells in Taylor County have been found with fluoride, iron, manganese, nitrate, and PFOA, PFOS, and PFHXS at levels above EPA health standards. Fluoride at high levels can damage tooth enamel in children and affect bone health. Nitrate can interfere with how blood carries oxygen, which is especially dangerous for babies and pregnant women. Manganese can harm the nervous system with long-term exposure. PFOA, PFOS, and PFHXS are industrial chemicals linked to liver damage, thyroid problems, and weakened immune function.

Iron and manganese in county wells can leave reddish or brown stains on sinks, toilets, and laundry. These minerals can also create a metallic or unpleasant taste in water and give it a cloudy appearance.

We recommend testing your well to find out what is actually in your water, since every well is different and yours could have higher or lower levels than what is common in the county. A comprehensive panel that checks for metals, minerals, nitrate, bacteria, and PFOA and PFOS costs between $200 and $400 and is the best way to understand your situation. Testing is the only way to know what treatment your well needs, whether that is a water filter, reverse osmosis system, or other solutions.