Chloride, iron, manganese, fluoride, and nitrate are present in Montague County groundwater at levels that exceed EPA health standards. These contaminant levels are concerning and require your attention.
The rocks beneath this county naturally contain iron and manganese, which dissolve into groundwater as water moves downward. Chloride and fluoride also occur naturally in the local rock. Nitrate enters from fertilizers and septic systems in agricultural and developed areas above. Salt from oil and gas operations and road treatments can add to chloride levels.
Groundwater in this county is very hard, driven by elevated calcium and magnesium from the bedrock below. The local rock dissolves these minerals into the water as it flows underground. Very hard water is widespread across wells throughout Montague County.
Wells in Montague County show elevated levels of chloride, fluoride, iron, manganese, and nitrate that exceed EPA health standards. Chloride and fluoride at high levels can harm your kidneys and bones over time. Iron and manganese may cause problems with your nervous system and development in children. Nitrate is especially dangerous for infants and can interfere with how blood carries oxygen throughout the body.
The very hard water in this county will create visible problems in your home. Iron leaves reddish-brown stains on sinks, toilets, and laundry. You may notice a metallic taste in your water and buildup of scale inside pipes and water heaters. This extremely hard water shortens the lifespan of dishwashers and water heaters because minerals clog and corrode them.
Since every well is unique, your water could have much higher or lower levels than the county average. Testing is the only way to know exactly what is in your well so you can treat it properly. We recommend a comprehensive metals and minerals panel, which typically costs $200-400. Iron and manganese removal through filtration systems and chloride or fluoride reduction through reverse osmosis are treatment options to discuss with a water professional.
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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chloride | 6 | 50% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Iron | 56 | 43% | Moderate | High | |
| Manganese | 44 | 23% | Moderate | High | |
| Fluoride | 492 | 4% | High |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Nitrate | 36 | 3% | Moderate | Low | |
| Arsenic | 33 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 10 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| Lead | 33 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrite | 5 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 10 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 10 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 10 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 10 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| Sulfate | 5 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Uranium | 12 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| Sodium | 5 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| pH | 6 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 10 | — | Low | Safe | |
| Hardness | 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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