Groundwater in Lincoln County contains radon, iron, and manganese at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Iron and manganese are present at moderate levels, while radon poses a health concern that deserves attention.
These contaminants come from the rock beneath the county. Iron and manganese dissolve from the bedrock as water slowly moves through it underground. Radon is a radioactive gas that seeps into groundwater from the natural breakdown of uranium in rock layers.
Groundwater in this county is soft, meaning it has low calcium and magnesium. Iron is the main mineral that stands out in the water here, released naturally as water passes through iron-bearing rock. These characteristics show up across many wells in the county.
Wells in Lincoln County commonly exceed EPA health standards for iron, manganese, PFOA, and radon. Iron and manganese are metals that can harm your organs and nervous system with long-term exposure. PFOA is a human-made chemical linked to health problems including liver damage and immune system effects. Radon is a radioactive gas that increases lung cancer risk when you breathe it in over years.
The water in this county is soft, so you won't see heavy scale buildup on fixtures or appliances. However, the moderate iron levels can cause orange or brown staining on sinks, toilets, and laundry. You might notice a metallic or unpleasant taste in the water. Soft water is actually good news for appliance lifespan since it won't wear them out quickly.
Testing your well is the only way to know what contaminants are actually in your water. Since multiple analytes exceed standards in this county, we recommend a comprehensive panel that checks for metals, minerals, bacteria, and radon--this typically costs $200 to $400. Every well is different, and your water could have higher or lower levels than what is common here. Iron and manganese removal systems, along with radon mitigation, are options if testing finds these contaminants in your water.
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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Radon | 1 | 100% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Iron | 100 | 42% | High | High | |
| Manganese | 100 | 35% | High | High | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 16 | 25% | Moderate | High | |
| Arsenic | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Chloride | 101 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Fluoride | 102 | 0% | High | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 16 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Lead | 4 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Nitrate | 81 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrite | 11 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 16 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 16 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 16 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Sulfate | 101 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Uranium | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 102 | — | High | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 16 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| pH | 102 | — | High | Low | |
| Sodium | 102 | — | High | 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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