Iron, manganese, and sulfate are present in Chesterfield County groundwater and well owners should be aware of them. Iron and manganese levels here exceed EPA health standards and are marked as very high concerns.
The Early Mesozoic basin rock beneath this county contains iron and manganese minerals that dissolve into groundwater as water moves slowly through the layers. Over time, these metals accumulate in the aquifer because the rock naturally releases them into the water.
Groundwater in this county is soft but high in iron, driven by elevated iron concentrations from the basin rock below. This iron character is widespread across wells throughout Chesterfield County, making it a common finding for well owners in the area.
Wells in Chesterfield County commonly have iron and manganese at levels that exceed EPA health standards, along with elevated sulfate. Iron and manganese can harm your blood, brain, and nervous system over time. Children are especially at risk from these metals. Exposure to these contaminants is a real health concern for families drinking untreated well water.
Iron causes orange or brown staining on sinks, toilets, and laundry that is hard to remove. It gives water a metallic taste and smell. Manganese creates similar dark stains and can also affect water taste. Since your county's water is soft, you won't have scale buildup problems, and your water heater and dishwasher should last a normal lifespan.
Your well is unique, and testing is the only way to know what's actually in your water. We recommend a comprehensive metals and minerals panel, which typically costs $200 to $400. Every well in the county is different--yours could have higher or lower levels than what's common here. Iron and manganese can be removed with filters or water softeners once you know what you're dealing with.
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 | 10 | 50% | Low | High | |
| Manganese | 6 | 50% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 10 | 10% | Low | Moderate | |
| Lead | 6 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Arsenic | 6 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Chloride | 10 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| Fluoride | 6 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 12 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 12 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| Nitrate | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Nitrite | 2 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 12 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 12 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 12 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| Radon | 2 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Uranium | 2 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 10 | — | Low | Low | |
| pH | 688 | — | High | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 12 | — | Low | Safe | |
| Hardness | 23 | — | 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…