Groundwater in Sherman County contains radon, nitrate, iron, lead, and manganese at levels that exceed EPA health standards. These contaminants are serious enough to warrant testing and potential treatment for your well.
Radon and the metals iron, lead, and manganese come from the rock and sediment of the High Plains aquifer itself--these elements occur naturally underground. Nitrate enters the water from agricultural activities and fertilizer use common across this farming region. As water moves slowly through the underground layers, it dissolves these substances over time.
The water in Sherman County is very hard, driven by calcium and magnesium dissolved from the aquifer's rock. This extreme hardness is the result of water contact with mineral-rich layers as it travels underground in this region. Very hard water is widespread across wells in Sherman County.
Wells in Sherman County commonly contain iron, lead, manganese, nitrate, and radon at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Iron and manganese can accumulate in your body over time and affect organ function. Lead is particularly dangerous for children, as it can harm brain development and learning. Nitrate poses serious health risks to infants and pregnant women. Radon is a radioactive gas that increases lung cancer risk when breathed in over many years.
The extremely hard water in county wells leaves white scale buildup on fixtures, pipes, and appliances. You may notice staining from iron on sinks and laundry. Hard water makes soap and shampoo less effective and can shorten the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers. Some people report a metallic taste or unpleasant odor in their water.
Every well is different, and your water may have higher or lower levels than what is common in the county. We recommend getting a comprehensive metals and minerals panel to learn what is actually in your well. This is the only way to know if treatment is needed and what kind would work best for your situation. A comprehensive panel typically costs between $200 and $400. Treatment options like iron filters, water softeners, and radon reduction 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 | 6 | 33% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Nitrate | 36 | 6% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Iron | 153 | 3% | High | Low | |
| Manganese | 127 | 2% | High | Low | |
| Lead | 112 | 1% | High | Low | |
| Arsenic | 115 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Chloride | 17 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Fluoride | 291 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Nitrite | 17 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Sulfate | 17 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Uranium | 48 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| E. coli | 3* | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 17 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| pH | 17 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Sodium | 17 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Total Coliform | 3* | 0% | 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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