Groundwater in Lincoln County contains manganese, lead, and sulfate at levels that exceed federal health standards. These contaminants are present at concerning concentrations that well owners need to address.
The rock beneath this county naturally contains minerals that release these contaminants into water. Manganese and iron come from the bedrock itself as groundwater moves through it over time. Sulfate concentrations are elevated because the local rocks contain sulfur-bearing minerals that dissolve into the water. Lead can also seep in from old well components and pipes as acidic water moves through them.
Groundwater in this county is very hard, driven by high levels of sulfate and the natural minerals calcium and magnesium from the underlying rock. The bedrock here naturally breaks down and releases these minerals into the water as it flows underground. These characteristics are widespread across wells throughout Lincoln County.
Wells in Lincoln County commonly contain iron, lead, manganese, and sulfate at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Lead can harm children's brain development and learning, even at low exposure levels. Iron and manganese don't have direct health limits but can be concerning at elevated levels. Sulfate at high levels can cause digestive problems, especially in infants and people with certain health conditions.
The minerals in county well water create noticeable everyday problems. Iron causes reddish or brown staining on fixtures, laundry, and dishes. The very hard water here can leave scale buildup on pipes and appliances, shortening the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers. You may notice a rotten egg or metallic taste and odor in your water.
We recommend testing your well as soon as possible, since every well is different and yours could have higher or lower levels than what is common in the county. A comprehensive panel that checks for metals and minerals costs between $200 and $400 and is the only way to know exactly what is in your water so you can treat it properly. Iron filters, water softeners, and sulfate removal systems can all help 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 | 132 | 77% | High | High | |
| Iron | 117 | 69% | High | High | |
| Sulfate | 131 | 64% | High | High | |
| Nitrate | 32 | 9% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Lead | 100 | 1% | High | Low | |
| Arsenic | 89 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Chloride | 132 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Fluoride | 45 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 9 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Nitrite | 8 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 9 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 9 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 9 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 9 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 117 | — | High | Low | |
| pH | 10 | — | Low | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 9 | — | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 23 | — | 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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