Groundwater in Madison County contains iron, manganese, and arsenic. Iron and manganese are present at levels high enough to exceed federal health standards, which means well owners should have their water tested and consider treatment options.
These metals come from the rock and clay layers that make up the aquifer system in this region. As water moves slowly through these underground layers, it picks up iron and manganese naturally released from the rock. Arsenic also occurs naturally in some areas of the aquifer and can leach into groundwater under certain conditions.
Groundwater in this county is soft but carries elevated sodium, driven by the minerals dissolved from the local rock and clay. The moderate iron content and the presence of sodium are common findings across wells in Madison County, though the exact levels vary from well to well.
Wells in Madison County have been found with iron and manganese at levels above EPA health standards. Iron can cause problems with your blood's ability to carry oxygen, while manganese can affect your nervous system and brain development, especially in children. Both metals come from natural sources in the ground beneath the county.
The high sodium in county well water is something you'll notice in your daily life. Your water may taste salty or brackish. Iron in wells here often causes reddish or brownish staining on clothes, fixtures, and surfaces. You might also notice a metallic taste or smell in your water.
We recommend testing your well water through a comprehensive metals and minerals panel, which costs between $200 and $400. Every well is different, and your water could have higher or lower levels than what is common in the county. Testing is the only way to know exactly what is in your well so you can treat it properly. Iron removal systems or water softeners can help 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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iron | 75 | 12% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Manganese | 58 | 5% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Arsenic | 44 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Chloride | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Fluoride | 109 | 0% | High | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 6 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Lead | 44 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrate | 9 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Nitrite | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 6 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 6 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 6 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 6 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Radon | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Uranium | 12 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| Sodium | 1 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| pH | 1 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 6 | — | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 1 | — | 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.
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