Iron, manganese, and arsenic are present in Victoria County's groundwater and well owners should be aware of them. These contaminants exceed EPA health standards, making them a concern that warrants testing.
The coastal lowlands aquifer system underlying this county naturally contains these metals in its sedimentary rocks and clay layers. Groundwater moving slowly through these fine-grained deposits dissolves iron and manganese where oxygen is scarce, and arsenic releases from minerals in the rock itself. The flat terrain and shallow water table here create conditions that concentrate these elements over time.
Groundwater in this county is very hard, driven by elevated calcium and magnesium from the rocks below, combined with moderate sodium levels. The coastal plain's clay and sand layers allow minerals to accumulate as water moves through the ground slowly. These characteristics are widespread across wells throughout the county.
Arsenic, iron, and manganese are found at unsafe levels in wells across Victoria County. Arsenic builds up in your body over time and can damage your kidneys and increase cancer risk. Manganese can harm your nervous system and affect how your brain works. Iron at high levels causes different health problems depending on your situation.
The very hard water in Victoria County wells creates staining and scale buildup. Orange or brown stains appear on fixtures, laundry, and dishes from iron. Mineral deposits build up inside pipes and on appliances. Hard water shortens the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers. Your water may taste metallic or bitter.
Since every well is different, your water could have higher or lower levels than what's common in the county. Testing is the only way to know what's actually in your well and how to treat it properly. We recommend a comprehensive metals and minerals panel, which runs between $200 and $400. Depending on your results, treatment options like iron filters or water softeners can help.
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 | 134 | 23% | High | High | |
| Manganese | 112 | 21% | High | High | |
| Arsenic | 107 | 13% | High | Moderate | |
| Chloride | 5 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Fluoride | 247 | 0% | High | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 6 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Lead | 107 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Nitrate | 7 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Nitrite | 5 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 6 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 6 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 6 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 6 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 5 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Uranium | 37 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Sodium | 5 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| pH | 6 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 6 | — | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 5 | — | 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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