Lead, arsenic, and chloride are present in Wayne County's groundwater. Lead is the most concerning, as levels exceed the EPA health standard in some wells, while arsenic and chloride are detected but at lower levels.
Lead gets into groundwater from natural sources in the soil and rock, and also from old pipes and plumbing in some well systems. Arsenic occurs naturally in the shallow sediment layers that make up the surficial aquifer here. Chloride can come from road salt, fertilizer, or natural deposits in the sandy and clay layers near the surface.
Groundwater in Wayne County is hard, driven mainly by calcium and magnesium dissolved from the rock and soil. The shallow sandy and clay layers that supply wells in this area naturally release these minerals as water moves through them. Hard water is common across most wells in the county.
Lead shows up in wells across Wayne County at levels that concern health experts. Long-term exposure to lead can hurt children's brain development and learning. Adults who drink water with lead face risks to their kidneys and blood pressure over time.
Wells in this county tend to have hard water that leaves spots on dishes and shower walls. The hardness can build up scale inside pipes and on faucet screens. Hard water also makes soap less effective for cleaning. Over many years, this hardness can shorten the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers.
We recommend getting your well tested to find out what is actually in your water, since every well is different and yours could have higher or lower levels than the county average. Testing is the only way to know if treatment is needed to protect your family. A comprehensive metals panel costs between two hundred and four hundred dollars and will give you a complete picture. Water softeners or point-of-use filters can address hardness and other mineral concerns.
| Contaminant | Samples ⓘ | % Above MCL ⓘ | Distribution ⓘ | Confidence ⓘ | Risk ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lead | 16 | 6% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Radon | 5 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Uranium | 8 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Nitrite | 16 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Fluoride | 20 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Manganese | 16 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrate | 21 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 20 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| pH | 22 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Sodium | 20 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Hardness | 20 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 8 | — | 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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