Groundwater in Stokes County contains chloride and fluoride, along with hardness driven by calcium and magnesium. Contaminant levels here are low--no EPA health standards are exceeded in the county's water.
The basin rock beneath Stokes County naturally contains these minerals and salts. As water moves slowly through the rock layers underground, it dissolves small amounts of chloride and fluoride from the stone itself, and picks up the calcium and magnesium that create hardness. This is a natural process that happens in basin aquifers across this region.
Groundwater in this county is hard, driven by elevated calcium and magnesium from the rock below. The basin rock here releases these minerals as water passes through it over time. Hard water is widespread across wells in Stokes County.
Good news--wells in Stokes County do not show contaminants exceeding EPA health standards. The county's groundwater does not pose the major health concerns found in some nearby areas. Your well water appears to be clean from a health perspective based on what we know about the county overall.
Wells in this county do have moderate hardness and some iron, which can affect your daily life. Hard water leaves scale buildup on faucets, shower heads, and inside pipes. You might notice spots on dishes after washing or a slight metallic taste in the water. Over time, hard water can shorten the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers by creating mineral deposits inside them.
We recommend testing your well to find out exactly what is in your water. Every well is different--your well may have higher or lower levels of minerals than what is common in the county. Testing is the only way to know what you are actually drinking and whether treatment would help. A basic screening costs about fifty to one hundred dollars, and water softening or iron filters are simple treatment options.
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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chloride | 5 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Fluoride | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 4 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Iron | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Manganese | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Nitrate | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 4 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 4 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 4 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 4 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 5 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 4 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 4 | — | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| pH | 1 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 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.
Order a Tap Score Test →Loading recent water news…