Lead, manganese, and iron are present in Harrison County groundwater and require attention. Several of these contaminants exceed EPA health standards, including lead and manganese, alongside elevated levels of radon, sulfate, and chloride.
The rock beneath Harrison County contains iron and manganese locked inside shale and coal-bearing layers. As groundwater moves slowly through cracks in this rock over years, these metals dissolve into the water. Sulfate and chloride also leach from minerals in the same rock layers, a pattern shared across all neighboring counties in this region.
Groundwater in this county is very hard, driven by elevated calcium and magnesium, and also contains high iron and sulfate. These minerals concentrate because water spends a long time in contact with the rock below, slowly dissolving what it passes through. Hard water with elevated iron and sulfate is widespread across wells in Harrison County.
Wells in Harrison County commonly contain chloride, iron, lead, manganese, radon, and sulfate at levels above EPA health standards. Lead exposure harms children's brain development and learning. Manganese at elevated levels can affect your nervous system and thinking. Radon is a radioactive gas that increases lung cancer risk over time. Chloride and sulfate at high levels can cause digestive issues.
Wells in this county are extremely hard, which means white crusty scale builds up inside pipes and on fixtures. Iron staining appears as orange or brown discoloration on sinks, toilets, and laundry. The high sulfate and sodium content gives the water a taste some people find unpleasant. Very hard water also shortens the lifespan of water heaters, dishwashers, and other appliances.
We recommend testing your well with a comprehensive metals and minerals panel, which typically costs $200-400. 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. Treatment options like whole-house systems combining sediment filters, iron removal, and water softening can address these 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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lead | 2 | 100% | 50% · 0% · 50% | Low | High ⓘ |
| Manganese | 45 | 89% | 7% · 7% · 87% | Moderate | High |
| Iron | 91 | 52% | 37% · 11% · 52% | Moderate | High |
| Radon | 2 | 50% | 50% · 0% · 50% | Low | High ⓘ |
| Sulfate | 75 | 43% | 44% · 13% · 43% | Moderate | High |
| Chloride | 60 | 8% | 78% · 13% · 8% | Moderate | Moderate |
| Uranium | 2 | 0% | 100% · 0% · 0% | Low | Low ⓘ |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 4 | 0% | 100% · 0% · 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 4 | 0% | 100% · 0% · 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 4 | 0% | 100% · 0% · 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 4 | 0% | 100% · 0% · 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 4 | 0% | 100% · 0% · 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ |
| Fluoride | 19 | 0% | 100% · 0% · 0% | Moderate | Low |
| Arsenic | 4 | 0% | 100% · 0% · 0% | Low | Low ⓘ |
| E. coli | 1 | 0% | 100% · 0% · 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ |
| Hardness | 49 | — | — | Moderate | Low |
| Nitrite | 1 | 0% | 100% · 0% · 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 4 | — | 100% · 0% · 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ |
| pH | 10 | — | — | Low | Low |
| Sodium | 62 | — | — | Moderate | Low |
| Nitrate | 1 | 0% | 100% · 0% · 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ |
| Fecal Coliform | 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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