Groundwater in Richland County contains manganese, iron, and lead at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Chloride and sulfate also exceed those standards, making this a serious concern for well owners.
These contaminants come from the bedrock itself. The rocks beneath Richland County naturally contain iron and manganese locked in their mineral structure. As groundwater moves slowly through cracks in the rock, it dissolves these metals. Lead can enter from older well components or from the rock itself. Chloride and sulfate accumulate as water sits in contact with the bedrock over time.
Groundwater in this county is very hard, driven by elevated calcium and magnesium from the surrounding rock. The high iron content adds to the mineral load that concentrates as water moves slowly through the bedrock. These characteristics are widespread across wells throughout the county.
Wells in Richland County commonly contain chloride, iron, lead, manganese, and sulfate at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Lead exposure can damage children's brain development and learning. Manganese at elevated levels can affect nervous system function over time. Iron and sulfate don't pose direct health risks at these concentrations, but chloride can be a concern for people on sodium-restricted diets.
The water in this county is extremely hard, which means you will see thick white or crusty scale buildup on faucets, showerheads, and inside pipes and appliances. Iron causes orange or rust-colored staining on sinks, toilets, and laundry. This extreme hardness can shorten the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers. You may also notice a metallic or bitter taste.
We recommend testing your well with a comprehensive metals and minerals panel, since multiple contaminants exceed standards in county wells. Every well is different, and your well may have higher or lower levels than what is common here. Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your water so it can be properly treated. A comprehensive panel typically runs $200-400 and a water softener combined with an iron filter can address many of 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 | 66 | 62% | 23% · 15% · 62% | Moderate | High |
| Iron | 78 | 51% | 37% · 13% · 50% | Moderate | High |
| Lead | 3 | 50% | 33% · 33% · 33% | Low | High ⓘ |
| Sulfate | 41 | 8% | 76% · 17% · 7% | Moderate | Moderate |
| Chloride | 76 | 7% | 82% · 12% · 7% | Moderate | Moderate |
| Fluoride | 23 | 0% | 100% · 0% · 0% | Moderate | Low |
| Arsenic | 4 | 0% | 75% · 25% · 0% | Low | Low ⓘ |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 13 | 0% | 100% · 0% · 0% | Low | Safe |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 13 | 0% | 100% · 0% · 0% | Low | Safe |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 13 | 0% | 100% · 0% · 0% | Low | Safe |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 13 | 0% | 100% · 0% · 0% | Low | Safe |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 13 | 0% | 100% · 0% · 0% | Low | Safe |
| pH | 7 | — | — | Low | Low ⓘ |
| Sodium | 47 | — | — | Moderate | Low |
| Nitrate | 1 | 0% | 100% · 0% · 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ |
| Fecal Coliform | 1 | 0% | 100% · 0% · 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 13 | — | 100% · 0% · 0% | Low | Safe |
| Nitrite | 1 | 0% | 100% · 0% · 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ |
| Hardness | 29 | — | — | 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.
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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