Groundwater in Sherman County contains radon, nitrate, iron, lead, and manganese at levels that exceed EPA health standards. These contaminants are present at concerning levels and warrant attention from well owners.
The High Plains aquifer in this area sits above and within layers of sand and gravel that naturally contain uranium, which breaks down into radon gas that enters groundwater. Nitrate comes from agricultural activities and septic systems that leak into the water below. Lead and manganese occur naturally in the rock and sediment, and they dissolve into groundwater as it moves through the ground.
Groundwater in this county is very hard, driven by high calcium and magnesium dissolved from the rocks and sediment of the High Plains aquifer. This county's geology naturally produces elevated hardness, and wells across the area show this characteristic.
Wells in Sherman County commonly have iron, lead, manganese, nitrate, and radon at levels above EPA health standards. Iron in drinking water can cause problems with your blood and organs over time. Lead harms children's brain development and learning. Manganese affects your nervous system and how your body moves. Nitrate is especially dangerous for babies and can make it hard for their blood to carry oxygen. Radon is a radioactive gas that increases lung cancer risk when you breathe it in over many years.
The very hard water in this county's wells causes stubborn staining on sinks and showers, scale buildup inside pipes and appliances, and soap that doesn't lather well. Your water heater and dishwasher may wear out faster than normal because of this hardness. Some people also notice a salty or mineral taste in their tap water.
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 test runs about two hundred to four hundred dollars and will tell you exactly what you're dealing with. Iron removal systems, water softeners, and radon treatment are options depending on what your test shows.
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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