Groundwater in Wayne County contains lead, manganese, iron, arsenic, chloride, sulfate, and PFOA. Multiple contaminants exceed EPA health standards, making this a serious concern for well owners.
These contaminants come from the Mississippian rock layers beneath the county. Lead and arsenic dissolve naturally from the bedrock as groundwater sits in contact with the stone over long periods. Iron and manganese are metals locked inside the rock that release into water as it moves slowly through cracks and tiny spaces. Chloride enters partly from road salt applied to highways and roads. Sulfate comes from sulfur-bearing minerals in the rock itself.
Groundwater in Wayne County is very hard, driven by elevated calcium and magnesium from the limestone and other minerals in the bedrock. The slow movement of water through dense rock layers allows these minerals to accumulate over time. Very hard water with high iron and sulfate is widespread across wells in this county.
Wells in Wayne County commonly exceed EPA health standards for arsenic, lead, and manganese. Arsenic is a toxic metal that can cause skin problems, digestive issues, and increase cancer risk over many years of exposure. Lead damages the brain and nervous system, especially in children, and can harm kidney function. Manganese at elevated levels can affect the nervous system and cause learning problems in young people.
The water in this county is extremely hard, which means thick white or crusty scale will build up on faucets, shower heads, and inside pipes. Iron causes orange and reddish-brown stains on sinks, toilets, and laundry. The high sulfate levels can give water a bitter or unpleasant taste. Very hard water shortens the lifespan of water heaters, dishwashers, and washing machines.
We recommend testing your well with a comprehensive metals and minerals panel, which typically costs $200-400. 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 water softener combined with an arsenic removal system and iron filter 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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iron | 150 | 89% | High | High | |
| Manganese | 145 | 88% | High | High | |
| Arsenic | 96 | 54% | Moderate | High | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 8 | 12% | Low | Moderate ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 57 | 4% | Moderate |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Chloride | 152 | 3% | High | Low | |
| Lead | 103 | 2% | High | Low | |
| Fluoride | 132 | 0% | High | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Nitrate | 26 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrite | 22 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 131 | — | High | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 8 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| pH | 214 | — | High | Low | |
| Sodium | 153 | — | 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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