Groundwater in Lee County contains iron, manganese, and nitrate at levels that exceed EPA health standards. These contaminants are present at concerning concentrations that well owners need to address.
Iron and manganese occur naturally in the sandy and clay layers beneath Lee County and dissolve into groundwater as water moves through the rock. Nitrate enters groundwater from agricultural fertilizers and septic systems used across the county's farms and rural areas. The combination of natural mineral sources and land-use activities creates multiple pathways for these contaminants to reach private wells.
Groundwater in Lee County is moderately hard, driven by calcium and magnesium that accumulate as water passes through the local sediment layers. These minerals dissolve slowly from the sand and clay that make up the aquifer, and moderate hardness is widespread across wells throughout the county.
Wells in Lee County contain iron, manganese, and nitrate at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Iron and manganese are metals that build up in your body over time and can damage your brain, nerves, and organs. Nitrate is especially dangerous for babies under six months old because it can interfere with how their blood carries oxygen, causing a serious condition called blue baby syndrome.
The moderately hard water in county wells can cause orange or brown staining on sinks, toilets, and laundry. You may notice a metallic or bitter taste in your water. Scale buildup from hard water can form inside pipes and on appliances, shortening the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers.
We recommend testing your well with a comprehensive metals and minerals panel to find out exactly what is in your water, since every well is different and yours may have higher or lower levels than what is common here. Testing is the only way to know what treatment your specific well needs. A comprehensive panel costs between two hundred and four hundred dollars. Iron filters or manganese removal systems can address these specific concerns.
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 | |
| Arsenic | 21 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Chloride | 57 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Fluoride | 39 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 10 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| Lead | 21 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrite | 25 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 10 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 10 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 10 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 10 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| Radon | 7 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 40 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Uranium | 14 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| Hardness | 39 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 10 | — | Low | Safe | |
| pH | 45 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Sodium | 40 | — | 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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