Groundwater in Ware County contains chloride, fluoride, iron, lead, manganese, and sulfate. Several of these contaminants exceed EPA health standards and warrant attention from well owners.
These contaminants come from a mix of natural and human sources. The sandy and other unconsolidated materials that make up the shallow aquifer here allow water to move quickly underground, picking up minerals from rock and soil. Saltwater intrusion from nearby coastal areas can push chloride into the groundwater. Old wells, septic systems, and past industrial activity can also introduce contaminants into the shallow water supply.
Groundwater in this county is hard, driven by calcium and magnesium dissolved from the rock materials below. The shallow aquifer's composition naturally concentrates these minerals as water passes through. Hard water is found in most wells across Ware County.
Wells in Ware County show several contaminants at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Lead and fluoride can harm developing children's teeth and bones and affect the nervous system. Chloride, sulfate, and manganese can cause problems with your digestive system and organs over time. Iron can also pose health concerns at elevated levels. Testing your water is the only way to know what is actually in your well.
Hard water is common in county wells and creates real problems at home. Your pipes, water heater, and dishwasher will build up scale and wear out faster than normal. You will see white crusty stains on faucets and shower heads. Laundry may feel stiff, and soap won't lather well.
We recommend getting your well tested with a comprehensive panel that covers metals, minerals, bacteria, and nitrate--this costs between two hundred and four hundred dollars and shows you exactly what you are dealing with. Every well is different, and yours could have higher or lower levels than the county average. Once you know what is in your water, you can treat it with options like water softeners for hardness or reverse osmosis systems for lead and fluoride removal.
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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sulfate | 53 | 36% | Moderate | High | |
| Chloride | 57 | 18% | Moderate | High | |
| Iron | 42 | 14% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Lead | 9 | 11% | Low | Moderate ⓘ | |
| Fluoride | 50 | 8% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Manganese | 40 | 2% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrate | 19 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 12 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 12 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 12 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 12 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| Arsenic | 9 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Radon | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Uranium | 3 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Nitrate | 19 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 12 | — | Low | Safe | |
| Hardness | 49 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| pH | 52 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Sodium | 50 | — | 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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