Smith County's groundwater contains iron, manganese, and lead at levels that exceed EPA health standards. These contaminants are present at concentrations serious enough that well owners should test their water and consider treatment.
The coastal uplands rock formation in this county naturally contains iron and manganese minerals. When water flows through these rocks underground, it dissolves these metals and carries them into wells. Lead can also come from pipes and plumbing fixtures in older homes, though some may come from the rocks themselves.
Groundwater in Smith County is soft and low in hardness, but moderate iron and sodium are the water's defining character. The iron-bearing rocks that make up the aquifer release iron and sodium into the water as it moves underground. Iron and sodium at moderate levels are found in many wells across the county, making this a widespread local trait.
Wells in Smith County have been found to contain iron, lead, and manganese at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Iron can cause problems with your blood's ability to carry oxygen. Lead is especially harmful to children and can affect learning, behavior, and development. Manganese at high levels can impact your nervous system and cause problems with movement and thinking.
The iron in county well water commonly creates orange or brown staining on sinks, toilets, and laundry. You might notice a metallic or bitter taste in your water. Even though the hardness is relatively soft in this county, the iron can still build up in pipes and reduce water flow over time.
Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your well, since every well is different and yours could have higher or lower levels than what is common in the county. We recommend a comprehensive metals panel to check for iron, lead, manganese, and other contaminants. This type of testing usually costs between two hundred and four hundred dollars. Iron removal systems or whole-house filters can help reduce these contaminants in your water.
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 | 617 | 22% | High | High | |
| Manganese | 497 | 6% | High | Moderate | |
| Lead | 201 | 1% | High | Low | |
| Arsenic | 212 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Chloride | 9 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Fluoride | 725 | 0% | High | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 146 | 0% | High | Safe | |
| Nitrate | 43 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrite | 2 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 146 | 0% | High | Safe | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 146 | 0% | High | Safe | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 146 | 0% | High | Safe | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 146 | 0% | High | Safe | |
| Radon | 2 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 9 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Uranium | 54 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Hardness | 9 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 146 | — | High | Safe | |
| pH | 9 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 9 | — | 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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