Groundwater in Limestone County contains manganese, iron, chloride, lead, and sulfate. Several of these contaminants exceed the EPA's health standards, so well owners in this county should test their water and know what is in it.
These metals and salts come from the rock layers beneath the county. Iron and manganese dissolve naturally from the surrounding rocks into the groundwater. Chloride and sulfate can come from the rock itself or from saltwater that has mixed into freshwater aquifers over time.
Groundwater in Limestone County is moderately hard, with elevated iron and sodium as the main minerals that shape the water's character. Iron comes from the local rocks, and sodium builds up where saltwater has influenced the aquifer. These characteristics are common across wells throughout the county.
Wells in Limestone County exceed EPA health standards for chloride, iron, lead, manganese, and sulfate. Lead in drinking water can harm children's brain development and cause learning problems. Manganese can affect the nervous system and cause tremors or mood changes. High chloride and sulfate levels can cause digestive problems in people with certain health conditions. Iron in water does not pose a direct health risk at the levels found here, but the other contaminants do require attention.
The minerals in county wells create visible staining on fixtures and laundry. Iron leaves orange or brown marks on sinks, toilets, and clothes. The water may taste salty from elevated sodium. Your water heater and other appliances may wear out faster because the water is moderately hard. These problems are annoying but fixable with the right treatment.
We recommend testing your well water with a comprehensive metals and minerals panel, which costs between $200 and $400. Your well is different from others in the county--it could have higher or lower levels of these contaminants. Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your water so you can treat it properly. Ion exchange systems or reverse osmosis filters can help remove metals and reduce mineral content.
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 | 50 | 44% | Moderate | High | |
| Iron | 175 | 43% | High | High | |
| Chloride | 66 | 9% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Lead | 30 | 3% | Moderate |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Sulfate | 66 | 2% | Moderate | Low | |
| Arsenic | 30 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Fluoride | 228 | 0% | High | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Nitrate | 57 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrite | 28 | 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 | 6 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 66 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| pH | 66 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 8 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 66 | — | 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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