Groundwater in Perry County contains manganese, iron, sulfate, arsenic, and chloride. Several of these contaminants exceed EPA health standards and require your attention.
These contaminants come from the Mississippian rock layers beneath the county. As groundwater moves slowly through cracks in these rocks, it dissolves iron and manganese naturally present in the stone. Sulfate forms when water contacts minerals in the shale. Arsenic and chloride also leach from the rock itself over time.
Groundwater in this county is very hard, driven by elevated calcium and magnesium from the limestone and other rocks below. Iron and manganese dissolve naturally as water sits in contact with these minerals. These characteristics are common across wells in Perry County.
Wells in Perry County commonly show arsenic, chloride, iron, manganese, and sulfate at levels exceeding EPA health standards. Arsenic is a metal that can build up in your body over time and increase cancer risk. Manganese at high levels can affect brain development and nervous system function. Chloride and sulfate at these concentrations are also health concerns that need attention.
The water in this county is extremely hard, which means you will see thick white, crusty scale building up on pipes and fixtures. Iron causes orange-brown or rust-colored stains on sinks, toilets, and laundry. The high sulfate levels can give water a bitter or unpleasant taste. This extreme hardness can shorten the lifespan of water heaters, dishwashers, and other appliances.
We recommend testing your well with a comprehensive metals and minerals panel because 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 whole-house systems combining water softeners with arsenic and iron filters 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 | 42 | 29% | Moderate | High | |
| Iron | 42 | 17% | Moderate | High | |
| Sulfate | 25 | 12% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Chloride | 42 | 5% | Moderate |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Arsenic | 24 | 4% | Moderate |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Fluoride | 34 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 9 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Lead | 24 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrate | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Nitrite | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 9 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 9 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 9 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 9 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Uranium | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 41 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 9 | — | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| pH | 33 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Sodium | 42 | — | Moderate | 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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