Well Water in Taylor County: What to Test and Why

Groundwater in Taylor County contains iron, manganese, and PFOA at levels that exceed EPA health standards. These contaminants demand your attention and testing of your individual well.

Iron and manganese come straight from the rock beneath the county. As water seeps through these rocks, it dissolves these metals naturally. PFOA enters groundwater from industrial or firefighting activities in the area.

Groundwater in this county is soft with low sodium and sulfate, but it is notably high in iron. Iron concentrates in the water because it dissolves naturally as groundwater moves through the local rock. Iron at elevated levels shows up across many wells in Taylor County.

Wells in Taylor County commonly contain iron, manganese, and PFOA at levels above EPA health standards. Iron and manganese can harm your nervous system and organs with long-term exposure. PFOA is a chemical linked to health problems including high cholesterol, liver damage, and immune system effects. These three contaminants deserve your attention and action.

Iron in county wells causes orange or brown staining on fixtures, laundry, and dishes that is hard to remove. Manganese creates similar dark stains. You may notice a metallic taste in the water. The good news is that the water here is soft, so you won't experience scale buildup in pipes or shortened appliance lifespans like households with very hard water do.

Every well is different, and your well may have higher or lower levels than what is common in the county. Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your well so it can be properly treated. We recommend a comprehensive metals and minerals panel to check for all three contaminants. Treatment options like aeration systems or carbon filters can address these issues once you know your specific levels.