Groundwater in Lewis County contains radon, iron, manganese, chloride, and fluoride at levels that exceed EPA health standards. These contaminants are present at concerning enough concentrations that well owners should test their water.
The limestone rock beneath this county naturally releases radon from radioactive decay happening inside the stone itself. Iron and manganese leach from minerals in that same bedrock as water moves through cracks and spaces. Chloride can enter from road salt or natural mineral deposits deeper underground.
Groundwater in this county is soft, with only moderate iron present as the main aesthetic characteristic. The carbonate rock releases some iron as acidic water dissolves through it on its way to your well. Most wells in the county show similar patterns of softness and moderate iron levels.
Wells in Lewis County commonly exceed EPA health standards for chloride, iron, manganese, fluoride, and radon. Chloride at elevated levels can harm your kidneys and increase blood pressure. Iron and manganese above health standards can damage your organs over time. Fluoride in excess amounts harms bone development in children and can cause skeletal damage. Radon is a radioactive gas that enters your lungs and increases cancer risk.
County wells are soft, which is good news for your pipes and appliances. The moderate iron present does cause brown or orange stains on fixtures and laundry. You may notice a metallic or bitter taste in the water. These are frustrating but separate from the health concerns listed above.
We recommend a comprehensive metals and minerals panel to find out exactly what is in your well, since every well is different and yours may have higher or lower levels than what is common here. Testing is the only way to know what you are actually dealing with so you can get proper treatment. A comprehensive panel costs between $200 and $400. Depending on your results, treatment options like radon aeration systems, ion exchange softeners, or activated carbon filters can address your specific contaminants.
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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Radon | 22 | 55% | Moderate | High ⓘ | |
| Iron | 41 | 27% | Moderate | High | |
| Manganese | 40 | 20% | Moderate | High | |
| Chloride | 42 | 14% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Fluoride | 41 | 2% | Moderate | Low | |
| Arsenic | 34 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 4 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Lead | 34 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrate | 44 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrite | 24 | 0% | Moderate | 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 | 44 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Uranium | 22 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Total Coliform | 7* | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 42 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| pH | 44 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 4 | — | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 44 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Fecal Coliform | 7* | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| E. coli | 4* | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ |
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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