Groundwater in Jasper County contains manganese, iron, chloride, and nitrate at levels that exceed EPA health standards. These contaminants are present at concerning concentrations that well owners should address.
Manganese and iron come from the rock beneath your county--these metals dissolve naturally as water moves slowly through the ground. Chloride and nitrate enter from a mix of sources: salt naturally present in deeper rock layers, road salt application, septic systems, and past agricultural use. The "other rocks" geology here creates conditions where these contaminants accumulate in groundwater over time.
Groundwater in this county is soft with moderate levels of iron and sodium as the main mineral character. Iron dissolves from the rock as acidic groundwater passes through iron-bearing materials. Moderate iron appears in many wells across Jasper County, though the exact levels vary from well to well.
Wells in Jasper County commonly have chloride, iron, manganese, and nitrate at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Chloride at high levels can affect people with heart or kidney problems. Iron and manganese can harm your nervous system over time. Nitrate is especially dangerous for infants and can interfere with how blood carries oxygen in your body.
The county's soft water means you probably won't see heavy scale buildup in pipes or appliances. However, iron in well water here does stain clothes, dishes, and fixtures with reddish marks that are hard to remove. You may notice a metallic or bitter taste in the water. Some people also report an unpleasant smell related to the minerals present.
We recommend testing your well with a comprehensive metals and minerals panel since multiple contaminants exceed standards in this county. 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 costs between two hundred and four hundred dollars. Iron removal filters and water softeners can help address these concerns depending on your test results.
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 | 140 | 34% | High | High | |
| Iron | 232 | 23% | High | High | |
| Chloride | 62 | 6% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Nitrate | 80 | 5% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Arsenic | 127 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Fluoride | 329 | 0% | High | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 18 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Lead | 126 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Nitrite | 5 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 18 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 18 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 18 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 18 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Radon | 5 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 62 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Uranium | 54 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Sodium | 62 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| pH | 54 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 18 | — | Moderate | Safe | |
| Hardness | 61 | — | 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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