Groundwater in Colorado County contains iron, arsenic, and manganese at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Well owners should be aware that these contaminants are present at concerning levels in this area.
These metals come from the rock layers beneath the county. The coastal lowlands aquifer system here contains naturally occurring iron, arsenic, and manganese that dissolve into the water as it moves through the ground. This is a natural feature of the geology in this region, not a result of pollution or land use.
Groundwater in this county is notable for elevated iron and manganese, which come from the minerals in the underlying rock formations. As water sits in these rock layers over time, it picks up these metals from the stone itself. Many wells across Colorado County show these same mineral characteristics because they all tap into the same geological source.
Wells in Colorado County contain arsenic, iron, and manganese at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Arsenic is a poison that builds up in your body over time and can cause serious health problems including cancer, heart disease, and damage to your kidneys and nerves. Iron and manganese at high levels can harm your brain and nervous system, especially in children and babies.
County well water with elevated iron leaves orange or brown stains on your clothes, dishes, and bathroom fixtures that are hard to remove. Iron gives water a metallic taste and can make it smell bad. Over time, these minerals build up inside pipes and water heaters, making appliances wear out faster and reducing how long they last.
We recommend getting your well water tested right away with a comprehensive panel that checks for all three of these contaminants, since every well is different and yours could have higher or lower levels than the county average. Testing is the only way to know exactly what is in your water so you can treat it properly. A comprehensive metals and minerals panel costs between $200 and $400. Treatment options like activated carbon filters or reverse osmosis systems can remove arsenic and reduce iron and manganese.
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 | 285 | 28% | High | High | |
| Arsenic | 133 | 4% | High |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Manganese | 232 | 1% | High | Low | |
| Fluoride | 366 | 0% | High | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Lead | 122 | 0% | High | Safe | |
| Nitrate | 26 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Uranium | 52 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 8 | — | Low | Safe ⓘ |
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.
Loading recent water news…