Wayne County's groundwater contains iron, manganese, chloride, nitrate, sulfate, and the industrial chemicals PFOA and PFOS. Several of these contaminants exceed EPA health standards and warrant attention from well owners.
Iron and manganese dissolve naturally from the sand and clay layers beneath the county as water moves through these rock formations. Nitrate and chloride enter from agricultural and land-use activities in the area. PFOA and PFOS are human-made chemicals that have contaminated some wells, likely from industrial or commercial sources.
The water in Wayne County is notably high in iron. Iron concentrates here because the sandy and clay layers that hold the groundwater naturally contain iron minerals that dissolve as water passes through. Very high iron levels are a widespread characteristic across wells in this county.
Wells in Wayne County commonly have chloride, iron, manganese, nitrate, PFOA, PFOS, and sulfate exceeding EPA health standards. Manganese and iron at high levels can affect the brain and nervous system, especially in children. Nitrate is dangerous for infants and can cause serious illness. PFOA and PFOS are industrial chemicals linked to health problems including cancer, liver damage, and immune system effects. Chloride and sulfate at elevated levels can cause digestive issues and affect people with certain health conditions.
Iron in county wells creates rust-colored staining on fixtures, laundry, and skin. You may notice a metallic or unpleasant taste in your water. Manganese can cause dark brown or black stains that are hard to remove. These aesthetic problems are frustrating to deal with daily, though the water itself being soft is actually a benefit for appliances and soap use.
Your well is unique and could have higher or lower levels than what is common here. Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your water so you can treat it properly. We recommend a comprehensive metals and chemical panel to check for all these contaminants, which typically costs $200 to $400. Treatment options like iron removal systems and activated carbon filters can address multiple concerns.
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 | 212 | 61% | High | High | |
| Manganese | 203 | 38% | High | High | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 44 | 25% | Moderate | High | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 44 | 18% | Moderate | High | |
| Chloride | 300 | 1% | High | Low | |
| Nitrate | 132 | 1% | High | Low | |
| Sulfate | 203 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Arsenic | 9 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Fluoride | 130 | 0% | High | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 44 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Lead | 9 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Nitrite | 49 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 44 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 44 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Radon | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Uranium | 11 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| Hardness | 205 | — | High | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 44 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| pH | 303 | — | High | Low | |
| Sodium | 192 | — | High | 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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