Well Water in Lincoln County: What to Test and Why

Groundwater in Lincoln County contains PFOA, manganese, and PFNA. PFOA and manganese exceed EPA health standards in this area, which is a concern that deserves attention.

PFOA comes from industrial uses and some firefighting foams that have seeped into groundwater over time. Manganese occurs naturally in the crystalline rock that makes up this region's aquifers. When water moves through these rocks, it picks up manganese. Both contaminants are found in neighboring counties with the same rock type, showing this is a regional pattern rather than a local problem alone.

Groundwater in this county is soft and low in iron and sulfur. The crystalline rock here does not release large amounts of minerals into the water the way limestone or shale-based aquifers do. Most wells in Lincoln County show this same soft-water character, though iron levels vary from well to well.

Wells in Lincoln County commonly have PFOA and manganese at levels above EPA health standards. PFOA is a human-made chemical that can build up in your body over time and has been linked to health problems including liver damage, thyroid disease, and developmental issues. Manganese is a naturally occurring metal that at high levels can affect the brain and nervous system, especially in children and infants.

The good news is that Lincoln County wells are generally soft with low sodium and low sulfate, so you probably won't see the staining, scaling, or taste problems that plague harder water areas. Iron is present at moderate levels in some county wells, which can cause orange or brown staining on fixtures and laundry if your well has higher amounts.

We recommend testing your well for PFOA, manganese, and related chemicals since every well is different and yours could have higher or lower levels than the county average. A comprehensive panel that checks for these contaminants plus bacteria and nitrate typically costs between two hundred and four hundred dollars and is the only way to know what is actually in your water. Treatment options like activated carbon filters or reverse osmosis can remove these chemicals, depending on what your test shows.