Groundwater in Lincoln County contains iron, manganese, and PFOA at levels that exceed EPA health standards. These contaminants are present at concerning concentrations that well owners should be aware of and test for.
Iron and manganese dissolve naturally from the crystalline rock that underlies this county as water slowly moves through cracks and breaks in the stone. PFOA, a human-made chemical, enters groundwater from industrial sources and contaminated sites in the area and persists in the environment.
Groundwater in this county is soft, with very low levels of hardness-causing minerals like calcium and magnesium. The crystalline rock here releases iron and manganese into water, but these metals do not drive overall hardness. Elevated iron and manganese from the bedrock are common findings across wells throughout Lincoln County.
Wells in Lincoln County show elevated iron, manganese, and PFOA at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Iron and manganese are metals that can build up in your body over time and affect your health. PFOA is a human-made chemical linked to kidney disease, thyroid problems, and immune system effects with long-term exposure.
The good news is that Lincoln County wells are soft, so you won't experience heavy staining, scale buildup, or shortened appliance lifespans like families in harder-water areas do. You may notice some orange or brown tinting from iron, but it's generally mild in this county.
Testing is recommended since every well is different--yours could have higher or lower levels than what's common here. A comprehensive metals and contaminants panel runs $200-400 and is the only way to know what's actually in your water so you can treat it properly. Activated carbon filters or ion exchange systems can address these concerns depending on what testing reveals.
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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 10 | 60% | Low | High | |
| Manganese | 18 | 22% | Moderate | High | |
| Iron | 18 | 17% | Moderate | High | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 10 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| Nitrate | 17 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrite | 7 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 10 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 10 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 10 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| Sulfate | 18 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Chloride | 18 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Fluoride | 18 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Hardness | 18 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 10 | — | Low | Low | |
| pH | 25 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Sodium | 18 | — | 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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