Iron, manganese, and nitrate are present in Calhoun County groundwater at levels that exceed EPA health standards. These contaminants show up regularly enough that well owners in this area should test for them.
Iron and manganese come from the sandy and gravelly layers beneath the county. When rainwater soaks down through these materials, it picks up these metals from the rock itself. Nitrate enters from human activity on the land--septic systems, fertilizer, and animal waste seep down and contaminate the water below.
Groundwater in this county is soft, with low iron, low sodium, and low sulfate measured across wells. The sandy soil and permeable layers that make up the aquifer system here do not hold onto hardness minerals the way limestone rock does. Most wells in Calhoun County show this soft-water pattern, though iron and manganese remain a concern even at these overall low mineral levels.
Wells in Calhoun County commonly have iron, manganese, and nitrate at levels above EPA health standards. Iron and manganese can cause problems with your blood and organs if you drink them for a long time. Nitrate is especially dangerous for babies and pregnant women, as it can interfere with how their bodies use oxygen.
The good news is that the mineral levels in county wells are generally low, so you probably won't see staining, scale buildup, or taste and odor problems from minerals. Your water should feel and taste normal from a mineral standpoint.
We recommend testing your well with a comprehensive panel that checks for metals, minerals, bacteria, and nitrate, since multiple contaminants exceed health standards in this county. Every well is different, and your well 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 you can treat it properly. A comprehensive panel usually costs between $200 and $400, and treatment options like iron and manganese filters or nitrate removal systems can be installed based on your 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 | 19 | 11% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Manganese | 19 | 11% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Nitrate | 25 | 4% | Moderate |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Lead | 12 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| Sulfate | 25 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Radon | 4 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Uranium | 11 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| Arsenic | 12 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| Chloride | 27 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Hardness | 26 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| pH | 26 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Sodium | 25 | — | Moderate | 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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