Well owners in Douglas County should be aware of arsenic, chloride, iron, lead, manganese, PFOA, PFOS, and sulfate in their groundwater. Several of these contaminants exceed EPA health standards, with iron and manganese at moderate levels and hardness very high, making water quality a real concern for your well.
These contaminants come from a mix of sources in the local rocks and human activity. The bedrock here contains naturally occurring arsenic, iron, and manganese that dissolve into groundwater as water moves through. Road salt and agricultural practices add chloride and sulfate, while PFOA and PFOS are synthetic chemicals that have migrated into the water supply from industrial and consumer products used in the region.
Groundwater in Douglas County is very hard, driven by elevated calcium and magnesium from the rocks below, along with moderate iron that adds to the mineral load. The combination of these minerals reflects the composition of the bedrock and the slow movement of water through it over many years. Most wells in this county show these same hard-water characteristics, though individual wells vary in their exact mineral content.
Wells in Douglas County show arsenic, chloride, iron, lead, manganese, and PFOA and PFOS at levels above EPA health standards. Arsenic exposure over time increases the risk of cancer and can damage organs. Lead harms brain development in children and raises blood pressure in adults. Manganese at high levels can affect the nervous system. PFOA and PFOS are industrial chemicals linked to health problems including liver damage and immune system effects.
The county's water is very hard, which causes white scale buildup on faucets and fixtures and makes soap less effective for cleaning. Hard water can shorten the lifespan of water heaters, dishwashers, and other appliances by creating mineral deposits inside them. Iron in county wells creates reddish staining on sinks, tubs, and laundry that is difficult to remove.
We recommend a comprehensive water test for your well because multiple contaminants exceed health standards in this county. Your well could have higher or lower levels than what is common here--testing is the only way to know what you actually have so you can treat it properly. A comprehensive metals and minerals panel costs between two hundred and four hundred dollars. Treatment options like reverse osmosis systems or activated carbon filters can address multiple contaminants depending on your test results.
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 | 92 | 80% | Moderate | High | |
| Iron | 95 | 62% | Moderate | High | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 17 | 59% | Moderate | High | |
| Arsenic | 45 | 38% | Moderate | High | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 10 | 30% | Low | High | |
| Sulfate | 103 | 7% | High | Moderate | |
| Lead | 44 | 2% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrate | 66 | 2% | Moderate | Low | |
| Chloride | 107 | 1% | High | Low | |
| Fluoride | 74 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 2 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Nitrite | 46 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 2 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 6 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Uranium | 35 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Sodium | 76 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| pH | 79 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 2 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 24 | — | 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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