Groundwater in Moore County contains radon, iron, manganese, and lead. These contaminants exceed EPA health standards, which means well owners should test their water and consider treatment options.
These metals and radon come from the rock layers beneath the county. The High Plains aquifer sits above stone and sediment that naturally contain iron, manganese, and radioactive minerals. As water moves slowly through these layers, it dissolves these substances into the groundwater.
Groundwater in this county is very hard, driven by high levels of calcium and magnesium from the rock below. The High Plains aquifer's stone and sediment layers are rich in these minerals, which dissolve into water as it flows underground. Most wells in Moore County show this very hard water character.
Wells in Moore County commonly have iron, lead, manganese, and radon at levels above EPA health standards. Lead can harm children's brain development and cause learning problems, even at low amounts. Iron and manganese can build up in your body over time and affect your nervous system. Radon is a radioactive gas that increases lung cancer risk when you breathe it in from your water.
The very hard water in this county's wells creates real problems for daily life. Hard water leaves white scale on faucets, shower heads, and inside pipes. It makes soap less effective and can shorten the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers. You might notice staining from iron on sinks and toilets.
We recommend testing your well with a comprehensive panel since several contaminants exceed health standards in this county. Every well is different, and your water could have higher or lower levels than what is common here. Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your well so you can treat it properly. A comprehensive metals and minerals panel typically costs between two hundred and four hundred dollars. Treatment options like iron filters, water softeners, or radon removal systems can 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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Radon | 3 | 67% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Iron | 179 | 8% | High | Moderate | |
| Manganese | 153 | 2% | High | Low | |
| Lead | 142 | 1% | High | Low | |
| Arsenic | 138 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Chloride | 15 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Fluoride | 405 | 0% | High | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Nitrate | 39 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrite | 15 | 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 ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 15 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Uranium | 55 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Total Coliform | 3* | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 15 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| pH | 16 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 8 | — | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 15 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| E. coli | 3* | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ |
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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