Groundwater in Lee County contains iron, manganese, and nitrate at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Well owners should test their water and take action to address these contaminants.
These three contaminants come from different sources in the landscape. Iron and manganese occur naturally as groundwater moves through rock and soil in this region. Nitrate typically comes from fertilizer use, septic systems, and other human activities on the land above the water table.
Groundwater in this county is moderately hard, driven by calcium and magnesium dissolved from the rock and soil. This hardness is common across wells throughout Lee County. Iron levels in the water are low overall, but manganese presence and nitrate contamination remain the primary concerns for well owners in this area.
Wells in Lee County commonly contain iron, manganese, and nitrate at levels above EPA health standards. Iron and manganese at high levels can cause serious health problems with your organs, especially with repeated exposure over time. Nitrate is especially dangerous for infants and can interfere with how blood carries oxygen through the body. Testing your well is the only way to know if these contaminants are in your water at levels that need treatment.
Moderately hard water in this county causes practical problems in your home. You will see rust-colored staining on sinks, toilets, and laundry from iron buildup. Manganese can leave dark brown or black stains that are hard to clean. Hard water also leaves scale inside pipes and on fixtures, and it shortens the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers over time.
We recommend getting your well tested right away because every well is different and yours could have higher or lower levels than other wells nearby. A comprehensive panel testing for metals, minerals, bacteria, and nitrate costs between two hundred and four hundred dollars and is the only way to know exactly what is in your water so you can treat it properly. Iron and manganese removal systems or whole-house filtration can address these problems once you know your levels.
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 | 37 | 14% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Manganese | 37 | 8% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Nitrate | 28 | 7% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Fluoride | 39 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 10 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| Nitrite | 25 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 10 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| Arsenic | 21 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Chloride | 57 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 10 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| Chloride | 57 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 10 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| Fluoride | 39 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 10 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| Nitrite | 25 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Lead | 21 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 10 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 10 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| Sulfate | 40 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Radon | 7 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Uranium | 14 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| Hardness | 39 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Sodium | 40 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| pH | 45 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 10 | — | Low | Safe |
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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