Sterling County groundwater contains iron, manganese, and arsenic. Iron and manganese are present at levels that exceed EPA health standards, which means well owners should have their water tested and consider treatment options.
Iron and manganese dissolve naturally from the rock layers beneath Sterling County. These metals are common in the underground rocks here and leach into groundwater as water moves through them over time.
Groundwater in this county is notably high in iron, which gives the water its characteristic mineral content. Iron concentrates in the groundwater because it is abundant in the local rock formations and readily dissolves as water passes through. Many wells across Sterling County show elevated iron levels.
Wells in Sterling County can have iron and manganese at levels above EPA health standards. Iron in drinking water can affect the body's ability to carry oxygen in the blood, especially in young children and pregnant women. Manganese at elevated levels can damage the nervous system with long-term exposure, causing problems with coordination and memory.
Iron in well water causes reddish or brown staining on sinks, toilets, and laundry. It can give water a metallic taste and unpleasant smell. Manganese creates similar staining and can turn water dark or cloudy. These stains are hard to remove and build up over time on your fixtures and clothes.
We recommend testing your well water, since every well in this county is different and yours could have higher or lower levels than average. Testing is the only way to know exactly what is in your water so you can treat it properly. A comprehensive metals panel typically costs two hundred to four hundred dollars. Iron and manganese can be removed with water filters or a treatment system that oxidizes and filters these metals out.
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 | 47 | 15% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Manganese | 46 | 2% | Moderate | Low | |
| Arsenic | 46 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Fluoride | 370 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Lead | 45 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrate | 14 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| Uranium | 5 | 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.
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