Groundwater in Terry County contains arsenic, chloride, fluoride, iron, manganese, nitrate, sulfate, and uranium at levels that exceed EPA health standards. These contaminants are present at concerning concentrations and require your attention.
The rock layers beneath Terry County naturally release arsenic, uranium, and fluoride as water moves slowly through sand and gravel. Sulfate and chloride build up in the water because this region's dry climate means less rainfall to flush them away. Nitrate enters from agricultural activity across the county's farming areas.
Groundwater in Terry County is very hard, driven by elevated calcium and magnesium, and it also carries very high sulfate and high sodium. These minerals concentrate here because water dissolves them from the rock layers as it sits underground for long periods in this dry climate. Most wells in the county show these elevated mineral characteristics.
Wells in Terry County commonly exceed EPA health standards for arsenic, uranium, nitrate, fluoride, and manganese. Arsenic and uranium are radioactive elements that can damage your kidneys and increase cancer risk over time. Nitrate is especially dangerous for infants and can interfere with oxygen in the blood. Fluoride at elevated levels can damage tooth enamel in children. Manganese affects the nervous system and can cause tremors and memory problems.
The water in this county is extremely hard, which means scale buildup will form inside pipes, on fixtures, and in appliances. This hard water also shortens the lifespan of water heaters, dishwashers, and other household equipment. High sulfate levels create a bitter or salty taste. You may notice rust stains on sinks and toilets. Soap and shampoo will not lather well, leaving you feeling like you need more to get clean.
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 it can be properly treated. We recommend a comprehensive metals and minerals panel, which costs between $200 and $400. Water softeners can help with hardness, while reverse osmosis filters address multiple contaminants.
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 | 24 | 83% | Moderate | High | |
| Arsenic | 132 | 77% | High | High | |
| Fluoride | 273 | 62% | High | High | |
| Nitrate | 40 | 42% | Moderate | High | |
| Chloride | 24 | 29% | Moderate | High | |
| Uranium | 54 | 6% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Iron | 142 | 4% | High |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Manganese | 139 | 2% | High | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Lead | 131 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Nitrite | 24 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Radon | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 24 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 8 | — | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| pH | 24 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Sodium | 24 | — | 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.
Loading recent water news…