Iron, sulfate, and chloride are present in Pulaski County groundwater. Iron and sulfate both exceed EPA health standards, which means well owners should be aware of these contaminants.
Water moving through the limestone and carbonate rock beneath the county dissolves sulfate and iron naturally. As rainfall seeps down through these rocks, it picks up minerals and metals that are part of the stone itself. This is not caused by pollution but by the geology of the Valley and Ridge region.
Groundwater in this county is very hard, driven by elevated calcium and magnesium from the limestone below, and it also carries moderate iron and very high sulfate. The carbonate rock that supplies water to wells naturally releases these minerals as water passes through it over time. Most wells in the county show these same mineral characteristics.
Iron and sulfate are the analytes found at levels that exceed EPA health standards in Pulaski County well water. Iron can cause digestive problems and organ damage with long-term exposure at high levels. Sulfate can cause digestive issues, especially in infants and people with certain health conditions.
The very hard water and elevated sulfate in county wells can create noticeable problems in daily life. You may see reddish or orange staining on fixtures, laundry, and dishes from iron. The water may have a bitter or unpleasant taste from sulfate. Very hard water can shorten the lifespan of water heaters, dishwashers, and other appliances, and it makes soap less effective for cleaning.
We recommend testing your well with a comprehensive panel since multiple contaminants exceed health standards in this county. Every well is different, and your well may have higher or lower levels than what is common here. Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your water so you can treat it properly. Iron removal systems and sulfate treatment options are available depending on your test results.
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 | 2 | 50% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 2 | 50% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Chloride | 2 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Fluoride | 2 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 11 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| Nitrate | 2 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 11 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| Hardness | 2 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 11 | — | Low | Safe | |
| pH | 2 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 2 | — | 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.
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