Iron, manganese, and arsenic are present in Frederick County's groundwater. Iron and manganese exceed EPA health standards at concerning levels.
The Valley and Ridge bedrock beneath this county contains iron and manganese minerals naturally. As groundwater moves slowly through the carbonate rock and associated mineral layers, it dissolves these metals from the stone itself. Arsenic also occurs naturally in the rock, though at lower concentrations.
Groundwater in this county is very hard, driven by elevated calcium and magnesium from the limestone below. Water flowing through carbonate rock dissolves these minerals, and the local bedrock makes this dissolution happen wherever wells tap into the aquifer. Very hard water is the normal condition across most wells in Frederick County.
Wells in Frederick County commonly show iron and manganese at levels above EPA health standards. Iron at high levels can cause problems with your blood and organs over time. Manganese can affect your nervous system and brain development, especially in children and during pregnancy. Arsenic is also a concern in some county wells and increases the risk of cancer with long-term exposure.
The very hard water in this county leaves white scale buildup on fixtures, pipes, and inside appliances. You may notice rusty staining on sinks, toilets, and laundry from the high iron content. Hard water makes soap less effective and can leave your skin and hair feeling dry. Over time, the mineral buildup from this hardness can shorten the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers.
We recommend testing your well water to find out what is actually in it, since every well is different and yours may have higher or lower levels than what is common in the county. Because multiple contaminants exceed health standards here, a comprehensive metals and minerals panel is worth considering--these typically cost between two hundred and four hundred dollars. Testing is the only way to know what treatment your well needs, whether that is a water softener for hardness, an iron filter, or other solutions.
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 | 6 | 17% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Manganese | 6 | 17% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Arsenic | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Chloride | 8 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Fluoride | 8 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Lead | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Nitrate | 6 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Nitrite | 6 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Radon | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 8 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Uranium | 5 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Arsenic | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Chloride | 8 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Fluoride | 8 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Lead | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Nitrate | 6 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Nitrite | 6 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Radon | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 8 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Uranium | 5 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 8 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 8 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| pH | 64 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Sodium | 8 | — | Low | 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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