Groundwater in Antrim County contains iron, arsenic, and chloride. Iron exceeds the EPA health standard, while arsenic and chloride are detected at lower levels.
Iron in this county's groundwater comes from minerals naturally present in the local rock. As groundwater sits in contact with these rock layers, iron dissolves into the water. The other rock types beneath Antrim County release iron readily when water moves through them slowly underground.
Groundwater in this county is very hard, driven by elevated calcium and magnesium that dissolve from the bedrock. The same rock that releases iron also contributes minerals that make the water hard. Very hard water is common across wells throughout Antrim County.
Wells in Antrim County commonly contain iron at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Long-term exposure to elevated iron can damage your organs over time. While iron is not an immediate poison, it does build up in your body with continued exposure. Your county also has arsenic and chloride present in groundwater, though at lower levels.
Wells in this county are extremely hard, which means white, crusty mineral buildup will form on fixtures, pipes, and inside appliances. Iron causes orange or rust-colored stains on sinks, toilets, and laundry. Your water may taste metallic or have a bad smell. The extreme hardness can shorten the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers.
We recommend testing your well water to know what is actually in it. Every well is different, and your well may have higher or lower levels than what is common in the county. Testing is the only way to know for certain so you can treat it properly. A basic health screen runs $50-100; a comprehensive metals and minerals panel costs $200-400. An iron filtration system or water softener can address these 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 | 4 | 25% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Arsenic | 4 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Chloride | 4 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Fluoride | 4 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Lead | 4 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Manganese | 4 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Nitrate | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Nitrite | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Radon | 2 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 4 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Uranium | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 4 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| pH | 4 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 8 | — | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 4 | — | Low | 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.
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