Groundwater in Washington County contains manganese, radon, iron, chloride, and nitrate. Several of these contaminants exceed EPA health standards and warrant attention from well owners.
The carbonate limestone bedrock beneath this county naturally releases manganese, iron, and radon as water flows through the rock. Chloride and nitrate come from human activity--road salt applied in winter and agricultural or septic system sources that seep into the ground.
Groundwater in this county is very hard, driven by elevated calcium and magnesium from the limestone below. As water moves through the carbonate rock, these minerals dissolve readily into the water. Very hard water is common across most wells in Washington County.
Wells in Washington County commonly have chloride, iron, manganese, nitrate, and radon at levels above EPA health standards. Chloride at elevated levels can harm kidney function and increase blood pressure risk. Iron and manganese can affect organ development and function, especially in children. Nitrate poses serious risks to infants and can affect how blood carries oxygen. Radon is a radioactive gas that increases lung cancer risk over time.
The very hard water in county wells leaves chalky white scale buildup on fixtures, pipes, and inside appliances. This scale can reduce water flow and shorten the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers. Hard water also makes soap less effective for cleaning and can leave spots on dishes and skin. The moderate iron levels may cause some rust-colored staining on fixtures and laundry.
Your well is unique and may have higher or lower levels than what is common across the county. 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 minerals panel that checks for all these concerns, which typically costs $200 to $400. Water softeners can address hardness, while activated carbon filters and aeration systems treat iron and other 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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manganese | 29 | 24% | Moderate | High | |
| Radon | 21 | 24% | Moderate | High ⓘ | |
| Iron | 29 | 10% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Chloride | 29 | 3% | Moderate |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Nitrate | 29 | 3% | Moderate |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Arsenic | 29 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Fluoride | 29 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 16 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Lead | 29 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrite | 23 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 16 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 16 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 16 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 16 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Sulfate | 29 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Uranium | 22 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| E. coli | 7* | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Fecal Coliform | 6* | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 29 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 16 | — | Moderate | Safe | |
| pH | 29 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Sodium | 29 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Total Coliform | 7* | 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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