Groundwater in Hardin County contains manganese, chloride, iron, and lead at levels that exceed EPA health standards. These contaminants reach concerning amounts that warrant your attention.
The coastal lowlands here sit above layers of sediment and rock that naturally release iron and manganese into water. Chloride enters from saltwater intrusion near the Gulf Coast and from old industrial activity in the area. Lead can come from pipes and plumbing in older wells.
Groundwater in this county is moderately hard, driven by moderate iron and moderately hard mineral content from the coastal sediments below. These characteristics appear across many wells in the county. Your well's exact levels may differ from these county averages.
Wells in Hardin County commonly exceed EPA health standards for chloride, iron, lead, and manganese. Lead damages the brain and kidneys, especially in children. Manganese affects the nervous system and can harm brain development. Chloride at elevated levels can raise blood pressure in people who are salt-sensitive. Iron at high levels can cause organ damage over time.
Wells in this county have moderate hardness, which means you may notice rust-colored stains on sinks, toilets, and laundry. A metallic taste in the water is common. Scale buildup can form on pipes and inside water heaters and dishwashers, shortening their lifespan.
We recommend a comprehensive metals and minerals panel to test your well, since multiple contaminants exceed health standards in county wells. Your well may have higher or lower levels than what is common here, so testing is the only way to know what is actually in your water and how to treat it. A comprehensive panel typically costs between $200 and $400. Treatment options like reverse osmosis systems or ion exchange can address multiple contaminants.
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 | 113 | 37% | High | High | |
| Chloride | 5 | 20% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Iron | 243 | 12% | High | Moderate | |
| Lead | 109 | 1% | High | Low | |
| Arsenic | 109 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Fluoride | 187 | 0% | High | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 26 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Nitrate | 22 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrite | 5 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 26 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 26 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 26 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 26 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Radon | 5 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 5 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Uranium | 53 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Hardness | 5 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 26 | — | Moderate | Safe | |
| pH | 5 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 5 | — | Low | 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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