Groundwater in Knox County contains manganese, iron, and arsenic, all of which exceed EPA health standards. These are serious contaminants that require your attention.
The Pennsylvanian rocks beneath Knox County naturally contain these metals locked inside the stone. As groundwater moves slowly through cracks in the shale and sandstone layers, it dissolves manganese and iron. Arsenic binds to iron-rich minerals in these same rock formations. This is geology at work--the contaminants come straight from the bedrock, not from surface pollution.
Groundwater in this county is very hard, driven by elevated calcium and magnesium from the limestone and shale below. Iron at very high concentrations adds to the water's character. These mineral characteristics are common across wells in Knox County.
Wells in Knox County commonly exceed EPA health standards for arsenic, iron, and manganese. Arsenic is a poison that builds up in your body over time and can damage your kidneys and increase cancer risk. Iron and manganese are metals that dissolve naturally from rock and can harm your nervous system and brain development, especially in children. These contaminants appear in wells across the county at concerning levels.
Water in Knox County is extremely hard, leaving thick white or crusty buildup on faucets, fixtures, and inside pipes. Iron causes orange or rust-colored staining on sinks, toilets, and laundry. Very hard water like this can shorten the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers. You may also notice a metallic taste in your water.
We recommend testing your well with a comprehensive metals and minerals panel, since multiple contaminants exceed health standards. Every well is different, and your well 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 water so it can be properly treated. A comprehensive panel typically costs $200-400, and treatment options like water softeners combined with arsenic-removal systems 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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manganese | 115 | 71% | High | High | |
| Iron | 121 | 63% | High | High | |
| Arsenic | 105 | 26% | High | High | |
| Chloride | 119 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Fluoride | 92 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 4 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Lead | 106 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Nitrate | 17 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrite | 12 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 4 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 5 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 5 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 4 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Radon | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 19 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Uranium | 2 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 93 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 4 | — | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| pH | 90 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Sodium | 121 | — | 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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