Groundwater in Wood County contains manganese, iron, and PFOS, along with chloride and sulfate. Several of these contaminants exceed EPA health standards and warrant your attention.
The rock beneath Wood County naturally releases iron and manganese as water moves slowly through it over time. Chloride and sulfate enter from road salt and other surface sources that seep downward into the groundwater.
Groundwater in this county is moderately hard, driven by iron at elevated levels. Iron concentrates here because the mixed rock types that hold the water naturally contain it. These characteristics show up across most wells in the county.
Wells in Wood County commonly contain chloride, iron, manganese, PFHXS, PFOS, and sulfate at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Chloride and PFOS can harm your kidneys and liver. Iron and manganese above safe levels can damage your nervous system and organs over time. PFHXS is a "forever chemical" linked to serious health problems including cancer and immune system damage.
The moderate hardness in county wells causes visible staining from iron and manganese--orange, brown, or black marks on sinks, toilets, and laundry that are hard to scrub away. You may notice a metallic or bitter taste in the water. Hard water also leaves scale buildup inside pipes and appliances, which can shorten the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers.
We recommend a comprehensive metals and minerals panel to test your well, since every well is different and your water could have higher or lower levels than what is common here. Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your water so it can be treated correctly. A comprehensive panel typically costs $200 to $400. Iron filters or water softeners can help remove these contaminants.
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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manganese | 15 | 93% | 13% · 0% · 87% | Moderate | High |
| Iron | 91 | 55% | 36% · 9% · 55% | Moderate | High |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 8 | 25% | 75% · 0% · 25% | Low | High ⓘ |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 8 | 12% | 75% · 12% · 12% | Low | Moderate ⓘ |
| Chloride | 87 | 10% | 79% · 10% · 10% | Moderate | Moderate |
| Sulfate | 48 | 2% | 94% · 4% · 2% | Moderate | Low |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | 100% · 0% · 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | 100% · 0% · 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | 100% · 0% · 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ |
| Lead | 3 | 0% | 67% · 33% · 0% | Low | Low ⓘ |
| Fluoride | 3 | 0% | 100% · 0% · 0% | Low | Low ⓘ |
| pH | 17 | — | — | Moderate | Low |
| Sodium | 46 | — | — | Moderate | Low |
| Nitrite | 1 | 0% | 100% · 0% · 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ |
| Arsenic | 1 | 0% | 100% · 0% · 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ |
| Nitrate | 1 | 0% | 100% · 0% · 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ |
| Hardness | 25 | — | — | Moderate | Low |
| Fecal Coliform | 1 | — | — | Low | Safe ⓘ |
| E. coli | 2 | 0% | 100% · 0% · 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 8 | — | 100% · 0% · 0% | 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.
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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