Groundwater in Moore County contains radon, iron, and manganese at levels that exceed EPA health standards. These contaminant levels are concerning enough that well owners should be aware of them and consider testing.
Radon enters groundwater from natural radioactive decay in the surrounding rock layers. Iron and manganese dissolve into the water as it moves slowly through the High Plains aquifer, picking up these metals from the rock over time.
Groundwater in this county is very hard, driven by elevated calcium and magnesium that come from minerals in the aquifer rock. The High Plains formation naturally contains these hardness-causing minerals, and they accumulate in water as it sits underground. Very hard water is widespread across wells throughout Moore County and neighboring areas that tap the same aquifer.
Wells in Moore County commonly contain iron, lead, manganese, and radon at levels above EPA health standards. Lead harms children's brain development and can damage kidneys and the nervous system in adults. Manganese affects how your nervous system works. Radon is a radioactive gas that increases lung cancer risk when you breathe it in over time.
The very hard water in county wells leaves white scale buildup on fixtures and inside pipes. Hard water makes soap and shampoo work poorly and leaves spots on dishes and glassware. It can shorten the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers. Some people notice a bitter or metallic taste in their water.
Testing your well is the only way to know what is actually in your water, since every well is different and yours may have higher or lower levels than what is common in the county. We recommend a comprehensive metals and minerals panel, which typically costs between two hundred and four hundred dollars. Iron removal systems and water softeners can help address these concerns once you know what you are dealing with.
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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