Groundwater in Martin County contains iron, manganese, chloride, fluoride, sulfate, and PFOS. Several of these contaminants exceed EPA health standards, making them a concern for well owners in this area.
Iron and manganese dissolve naturally from the sand and clay layers beneath the county. Chloride and sulfate also occur naturally in these sediments, left behind from ancient seawater. PFOS, a human-made chemical, enters groundwater through industrial activity and contaminated sites on the land above.
Groundwater in this county is hard, driven by elevated calcium and magnesium in the water. The coastal plain rock here naturally contains minerals that dissolve into the water as it flows through. These characteristics are widespread across wells in Martin County, though the level of hardness and mineral content varies from well to well.
Wells in Martin County commonly have several contaminants that exceed EPA health standards. Chloride and fluoride at elevated levels can affect kidney function and bone health over time. Iron and manganese, while not toxic themselves, can accumulate in the body with prolonged exposure. PFOS is a human-made chemical linked to immune system and liver effects. Sulfate at high levels can cause digestive issues in infants and people with certain health conditions.
The mineral content in county wells creates noticeable quality-of-life impacts. Iron leaves reddish-brown stains on laundry, fixtures, and dishes that are difficult to remove. Manganese causes dark brown or black staining. The water tastes metallic and may have an unpleasant odor. Hard water reduces soap effectiveness and leaves white scale buildup on appliances, potentially shortening the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers.
Your well is different from others in the county, so testing is the only way to know what is actually in your water. We recommend a comprehensive metals and minerals panel to check all these contaminants, which typically costs two hundred to four hundred dollars. Testing lets you understand your specific situation and choose appropriate treatment like water softeners, iron filters, or activated carbon 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 | 440 | 46% | High | High | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 12 | 25% | Low | High | |
| Manganese | 46 | 4% | Moderate |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Fluoride | 71 | 4% | Moderate |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Chloride | 450 | 2% | High | Low | |
| Sulfate | 393 | 1% | High | Low | |
| Arsenic | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 12 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| Lead | 3 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Nitrate | 45 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrite | 4 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 12 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 12 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 12 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| Radon | 2 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Uranium | 3 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| E. coli | 1* | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 450 | — | High | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 12 | — | Low | Safe | |
| pH | 385 | — | High | Low | |
| Sodium | 42 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Total Coliform | 1* | 0% | 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.
Order a Tap Score Test →Population-level CDC data. Not individual risk prediction.
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