Iron, manganese, and PFOS are present in groundwater in Lamar County. Iron and manganese exceed EPA health standards at moderate levels, and PFOS also exceeds the EPA standard, so well owners should have their water tested.
The rock beneath Lamar County contains iron and manganese minerals naturally. As groundwater moves through these rocks, it dissolves these metals. PFOS comes from human activities like firefighting foam and industrial use, which can seep into groundwater over time.
Groundwater in this county is soft but contains moderate levels of iron and manganese from the crystalline rock below. These metals leach into the water as it flows through the stone. Most wells in the county show these same characteristics because all groundwater moves through the same rock layers.
Wells in Lamar County commonly have iron, manganese, and PFOS at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Iron and manganese can cause serious problems over time if you drink water with too much of them in it. PFOS is a chemical that builds up in your body and has been linked to health issues including changes in cholesterol, liver problems, and effects on the immune system.
County well water with elevated iron and manganese can stain your laundry, dishes, and bathroom fixtures with yellow, brown, or black marks. These minerals can also make water taste metallic or leave a smell like rust. The good news is that county well water is soft, which means you won't have scale buildup in pipes or shortened appliance lifespans from hard water problems.
We recommend getting your well tested right away with a comprehensive panel to find out exactly what is in your water. Testing is the only way to know if your well has higher or lower levels than what we see across the county. A comprehensive metals panel costs about two hundred to four hundred dollars and will tell you what you are actually dealing with. Iron and manganese can be removed with filters or oxidation systems, and PFOS requires specialized treatment like activated carbon.
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 | 21 | 29% | Moderate | High | |
| Manganese | 21 | 19% | Moderate | High | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 12 | 8% | Low | Moderate | |
| Sulfate | 23 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrate | 2 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 12 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 12 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 12 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| Nitrate | 2 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 23 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Fluoride | 23 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Chloride | 23 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 12 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 12 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| pH | 22 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Sodium | 23 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Hardness | 2 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 12 | — | 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.
* 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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