Groundwater in Clinton County contains manganese, iron, arsenic, chloride, and PFOS. Several of these contaminants exceed EPA health standards, making testing and treatment important for well owners in this area.
These metals and PFOS come from different sources. Manganese and iron dissolve naturally from the rock layers below as groundwater sits in low-oxygen conditions underground. Arsenic is also naturally embedded in the bedrock. Chloride can come from road salt and other sources that seep down through soil. PFOS is a synthetic chemical that has contaminated some groundwater areas from industrial use and firefighting foam.
Groundwater in Clinton County is very hard, driven by elevated calcium and magnesium from the limestone and shale below. The high iron level also contributes to the water's mineral character. These characteristics are common across wells in the county.
Wells in Clinton County commonly contain arsenic, chloride, iron, manganese, and PFOS at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Arsenic is a poison that builds up in your body over time and can cause serious illnesses. Manganese can harm brain development in children and affect nervous system health in adults. Chloride at elevated levels can be a concern for people on salt-restricted diets. PFOS is a synthetic chemical that accumulates in your body and does not break down naturally.
The water in this county is extremely hard, which means you will see thick white crusty buildup on faucets, showerheads, and inside pipes. Iron staining will appear as orange-brown marks on sinks, toilets, and laundry. This extreme hardness can shorten the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers. You may also notice a metallic or unpleasant taste in the water.
We recommend testing your well because every well is different and your water may have higher or lower levels than what is common in the county. Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your well so it can be properly treated. Since multiple contaminants exceed health standards, a comprehensive metals and minerals panel is recommended. Treatment options may include reverse osmosis systems combined with water softeners to address both health concerns and hardness issues.
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 | 56 | 62% | 21% · 16% · 62% | Moderate | High |
| Iron | 62 | 60% | 24% · 16% · 60% | Moderate | High |
| Arsenic | 3 | 50% | 33% · 33% · 33% | Low | High ⓘ |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 8 | 12% | 88% · 0% · 12% | Low | Moderate ⓘ |
| Chloride | 52 | 6% | 79% · 15% · 6% | Moderate | Moderate |
| Sulfate | 33 | 0% | 94% · 6% · 0% | Moderate | Low |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | 100% · 0% · 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | 100% · 0% · 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | 88% · 12% · 0% | Low | Low ⓘ |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | 100% · 0% · 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ |
| Fluoride | 13 | 0% | 85% · 15% · 0% | Low | Low |
| Nitrite | 32 | 0% | 97% · 3% · 0% | Moderate | Low |
| pH | 6 | — | — | Low | Low ⓘ |
| Sodium | 44 | — | — | Moderate | Low |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 8 | — | 100% · 0% · 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ |
| Lead | 1 | 0% | 100% · 0% · 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ |
| Hardness | 28 | — | — | Moderate | Low |
| Nitrate | 1 | 0% | 100% · 0% · 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.
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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