Groundwater in Forsyth County contains iron, chloride, and fluoride. Iron is high enough to exceed EPA health standards, while chloride and fluoride remain at low levels.
The Early Mesozoic basin rock beneath this county naturally releases iron into the groundwater as water moves through fractures and layers. Chloride and fluoride also come from the rock itself rather than from human activity or pollution.
Groundwater in this county is soft with notably high iron as the defining mineral character. The iron-rich rock that makes up the basin aquifer dissolves slowly into the water over time as it moves underground. High iron levels show up across many wells throughout the county.
Iron appears at elevated levels in wells across Forsyth County and exceeds EPA health standards. Drinking water with high iron can cause problems with your digestive system and organs over time. Children and people with certain health conditions need to be especially careful about iron exposure.
Iron in county well water leaves orange or brown stains on sinks, toilets, and laundry. You might notice a metallic taste or smell in the water. The good news is that Forsyth County's groundwater is soft, so you won't deal with scale buildup or shortened appliance lifespans from mineral hardness.
We recommend testing your well to find out what iron levels are actually present in your water, since every well is different and yours could be higher or lower than the county average. Testing is the only way to know what you're dealing with so you can treat it properly. A basic screening costs around fifty to one hundred dollars. Iron can be removed through filtration or aeration systems.
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 | 1 | 100% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Chloride | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Fluoride | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 12 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| Manganese | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Nitrate | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 12 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 12 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 12 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 12 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| Sulfate | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 1 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| pH | 1 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 12 | — | Low | Safe | |
| Hardness | 1 | — | 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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