Iron and manganese are present in Irwin County groundwater at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Well owners in this county should take these contaminants seriously.
Iron and manganese come from the rock layers underground in this area. As groundwater moves through these rocks, it dissolves these metals and carries them into your well. The sandy and clay layers that make up the local aquifer naturally contain these metals, especially in areas where water sits without much oxygen.
Groundwater in this county is soft, with iron being the main mineral that shows up in well water. Iron gets into the water as it filters down through the iron-rich rocks and sediment beneath the surface. Most wells in Irwin County have detectable iron, though the amount varies from well to well.
Wells in Irwin County contain iron and manganese at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Iron can cause problems with your blood and organs if you drink it over a long time. Manganese can affect your nervous system and brain development, especially in children and babies. Both of these metals need to be removed from your drinking water.
The good news is that the mineral content in county wells is generally soft and low in sodium and sulfate, so you are unlikely to see staining, scale buildup, or taste problems from minerals. Your water heater and dishwasher should not suffer damage from mineral buildup.
We recommend that you test your well right away to find out what is actually in your water. Every well is different, and your water could have higher or lower levels of iron and manganese than what is common in the county. A comprehensive metals panel typically costs between two hundred and four hundred dollars and is the only way to know exactly what you are dealing with. Once you know what is in your well, you can install filters or other treatment systems to remove the iron and manganese.
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 | 13 | 15% | Low | High | |
| Manganese | 13 | 15% | Low | High | |
| Chloride | 22 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Fluoride | 19 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrite | 16 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Arsenic | 7 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Fluoride | 19 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrite | 16 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrate | 21 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Sulfate | 19 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Radon | 4 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Uranium | 11 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| Hardness | 19 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Sodium | 19 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| pH | 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.
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