Groundwater in Terrell County contains manganese, arsenic, and chloride. Manganese levels exceed the EPA health standard and deserve your attention, while arsenic and chloride are present but at levels below the threshold that triggers federal concern.
Manganese and arsenic occur naturally in the sandy and clay layers that make up the Southeastern Coastal Plain aquifer system beneath this county. As rainwater filters down through these rock layers over time, it dissolves these metals and carries them into your well water. Chloride can come from both natural sources in the rock and from road salt or other human activities on the land surface.
Groundwater in this county is moderately hard, driven mainly by calcium and magnesium dissolved from the rock layers below. This hardness is widespread across wells throughout Terrell County. Iron levels in the water are low, and sulfate is also low, so the water's mineral character is shaped primarily by the hardness rather than by other strong mineral signatures.
Manganese is found at levels above EPA health standards in wells across Terrell County. Exposure to elevated manganese can harm your nervous system and brain development, especially in children. Long-term drinking of water with too much manganese has been linked to problems with memory, attention, and movement.
Wells in this county have moderately hard water, which causes mineral buildup and staining problems. You may see rust-colored or dark brown discoloration on sinks, fixtures, and laundry. Hard water leaves chalky scale inside pipes and water heaters, which can shorten the lifespan of appliances like dishwashers and water heaters. You might notice a metallic or bitter taste in your water.
We recommend testing your well water with a comprehensive metals and minerals panel, which costs between $200 and $400. Your well is unique and could have higher or lower levels than what is common in the county--testing is the only way to know what is actually in your water so you can treat it properly. Manganese can be removed through filtration or oxidation systems designed for your specific water chemistry.
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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manganese | 15 | 13% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 6 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Fluoride | 23 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrite | 7 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Arsenic | 4 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Chloride | 24 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Fluoride | 23 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Hardness | 23 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 6 | — | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| pH | 23 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Sodium | 21 | — | 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 →Loading recent water news…