Iron, manganese, and arsenic are present in Robertson County's groundwater and well owners should know about them. All three contaminants exceed EPA health standards in this county, making them a real concern that deserves attention.
The rock beneath Robertson County naturally contains iron and manganese, which dissolve into water as it moves slowly through the ground. Arsenic also occurs naturally in some of the rock layers here. These metals come from the minerals that make up the local geology.
Groundwater in this county is hard, driven by elevated calcium and magnesium from the rock below. The moderate iron content adds to the mineral character of the water. Hard water with this iron content is common across wells throughout Robertson County.
Arsenic, iron, and manganese are found at levels exceeding EPA health standards in wells across Robertson County. Arsenic can harm your kidneys and increase cancer risk with long-term exposure. Iron and manganese affect the nervous system and can cause other health problems when consumed regularly at elevated levels. These metals come from natural sources in the groundwater, not pollution.
Hard water in county wells leaves scale buildup inside pipes, water heaters, and dishwashers, which can shorten the lifespan of these appliances. Iron causes orange or brown staining on fixtures and clothes. Manganese leaves dark brown or black stains. You may also notice a metallic or bitter taste in your water.
Your well is different from others in the county, so your water could have higher or lower levels of these contaminants. We recommend a comprehensive metals and minerals panel to find out what is actually in your well--testing is the only way to know for certain and determine proper treatment. A comprehensive panel typically costs two hundred to four hundred dollars. Treatment options like iron removal systems or water softeners 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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iron | 319 | 25% | High | High | |
| Manganese | 173 | 16% | High | High | |
| Arsenic | 115 | 2% | High | Low | |
| Chloride | 5 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Fluoride | 520 | 0% | High | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 9 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Lead | 115 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Nitrate | 23 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrite | 5 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 9 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 9 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 9 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 9 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Radon | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 5 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Uranium | 56 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Hardness | 5 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 9 | — | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| pH | 5 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 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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