Groundwater in Chesterfield County contains iron, manganese, radon, chloride, and sulfate at levels that exceed EPA health standards. These contaminants are present at concentrations serious enough that well owners need to take action.
The Early Mesozoic basin rocks beneath this county naturally contain iron and manganese minerals that dissolve into groundwater. Radon enters the water from decay of uranium in the bedrock. Chloride and sulfate accumulate in these deeper basin formations from ancient salt and mineral deposits trapped in the rock layers.
Groundwater in this county is notably high in iron, which is the dominant mineral character of the water. Iron concentrates here because the bedrock contains iron-rich minerals that release iron as water flows through. Most wells in Chesterfield County show elevated iron levels.
Wells in Chesterfield County show levels of chloride, iron, manganese, radon, and sulfate above EPA health standards. Radon is a radioactive gas that increases lung cancer risk when breathed in over time. Manganese at high levels can affect the brain and nervous system, especially in children. Chloride and sulfate at elevated levels can cause digestive problems and other health concerns.
Iron and manganese in county well water create orange or brown staining on fixtures, laundry, and skin. These minerals can leave a metallic taste in your water and create unpleasant odors. The water in this county is soft, so you likely won't have scale buildup in pipes and appliances.
We recommend testing your well with a comprehensive panel since multiple contaminants exceed health standards in this county. Your well is individual and could have higher or lower levels than what we see across the county. Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your water so you can treat it correctly. A comprehensive metals and minerals panel typically costs between two hundred and four hundred dollars. Treatment options like radon aeration systems, iron filters, and chloride removal can address these 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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iron | 10 | 50% | Low | High | |
| Manganese | 6 | 50% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 10 | 10% | Low | Moderate | |
| Lead | 6 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Arsenic | 6 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Chloride | 10 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| Fluoride | 6 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 12 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 12 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| Nitrate | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Nitrite | 2 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 12 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 12 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 12 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| Radon | 2 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Uranium | 2 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 10 | — | Low | Low | |
| pH | 688 | — | High | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 12 | — | Low | Safe | |
| Hardness | 23 | — | 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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