Groundwater in Stonewall County contains sulfate, chloride, nitrate, and several metals including fluoride, iron, lead, and manganese. Multiple contaminants exceed EPA health standards, making this water a concern for your household.
The rocks beneath Stonewall County naturally contain salt and minerals that dissolve into the water as it moves underground. Nitrate also enters from surface sources like fertilizer and septic systems seeping down through the soil. Agricultural and residential activity in the area adds to the problem.
Groundwater in this county is very hard and very salty, driven by high levels of sodium and sulfate from the rock below. As water flows slowly through these mineral-rich layers, it picks up these dissolved salts. These characteristics are widespread across wells throughout the county.
Wells in Stonewall County commonly exceed EPA health standards for chloride, fluoride, iron, lead, manganese, nitrate, and sulfate. Lead damages children's brain development and learning. Fluoride at elevated levels can harm tooth enamel. Nitrate is especially dangerous for infants and can interfere with oxygen in the blood. Manganese can affect the nervous system. Chloride and sulfate at high levels create health concerns with long-term exposure.
County wells are extremely hard with very high sodium and sulfate. You will likely see rust-colored stains from iron on sinks and laundry. The water may taste salty, metallic, or smell like sulfur. Scale builds up inside pipes and on fixtures. Very hard water shortens the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers. Soap doesn't lather well.
We recommend a comprehensive metals and minerals panel to test your well, since multiple contaminants exceed standards. Every well is different and yours could have higher or lower levels than what is common here. Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your water so it can be properly treated. A comprehensive panel typically costs $200 to $400. Treatment options like water softeners, iron filters, and reverse osmosis 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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sulfate | 58 | 100% | Moderate | High | |
| Chloride | 58 | 64% | Moderate | High | |
| Nitrate | 5 | 40% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Manganese | 20 | 30% | Moderate | High | |
| Lead | 20 | 30% | Moderate | High | |
| Iron | 20 | 5% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Fluoride | 107 | 1% | High | Low | |
| Arsenic | 20 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Uranium | 2 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 38 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| pH | 38 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Sodium | 38 | — | Moderate | 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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