Groundwater in Fayette County contains manganese, iron, radon, lead, nitrate, and sulfate. Several of these contaminants exceed EPA health standards and warrant attention.
These contaminants come from the rock layers beneath the county. Iron and manganese dissolve naturally as water moves through the Mississippian bedrock. Radon forms from uranium trapped in the rock. Nitrate can enter from septic systems or agricultural activity. Lead seeps from rock cracks and mineral deposits.
Groundwater in this county is hard, driven by elevated iron and calcium from the bedrock below. Hard water is widespread across wells in Fayette County.
Wells in Fayette County commonly contain radon, lead, manganese, iron, and nitrate at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Radon is a radioactive gas that increases lung cancer risk with long-term exposure. Lead damages children's brains and nervous systems even at low levels. Manganese can harm brain development in young children. Nitrate is especially dangerous for infants and can cause serious illness. Iron and sulfate themselves are not health hazards, but other contaminants in county wells are serious concerns.
The water in this county is very hard, which means scale buildup will form quickly inside pipes and water heaters and can shorten the lifespan of appliances like dishwashers and water heaters. High iron causes reddish-brown stains on sinks, toilets, and laundry. Sulfate gives the water a bitter or unpleasant taste. These mineral issues create real headaches for daily life and home maintenance.
We recommend testing your well through a state-certified lab. Every well is different, and your well may have higher or lower levels than what is common in the county. A comprehensive metals and radon panel typically costs $200-400 and is the only way to know what is actually in your water so it can be properly treated. Water softeners and radon mitigation 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 | 43 | 63% | Moderate | High | |
| Iron | 67 | 61% | Moderate | High | |
| Radon | 5 | 20% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 66 | 17% | Moderate | High | |
| Lead | 18 | 6% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Nitrate | 47 | 4% | Moderate |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Arsenic | 34 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Chloride | 53 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Fluoride | 23 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 99 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Nitrite | 32 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 77 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 77 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 109 | 0% | High | Low | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 109 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Uranium | 16 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Sodium | 36 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| pH | 56 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 99 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Hardness | 51 | — | 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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