Groundwater in Adams County contains manganese, nitrate, and iron at levels high enough to exceed EPA health standards. These contaminant levels are concerning and warrant attention from well owners in this area.
Manganese and iron dissolve naturally from the deep rock layers beneath the county. Nitrate enters from fertilizer used on farmland and lawns above, seeping down through soil into the groundwater below. The combination of mineral-rich bedrock and agricultural activity in the area creates conditions where these contaminants concentrate in well water.
Groundwater in Adams County is hard, driven by elevated calcium and magnesium from the limestone and rock below. As water moves slowly through these mineral-rich layers, it dissolves calcium and magnesium, which accumulate over time. Hard water is common across wells throughout this county.
Wells in Adams County commonly contain iron, manganese, and nitrate at levels exceeding EPA health standards. Iron buildup in your body over time can cause joint pain and organ damage. Manganese at elevated levels can affect your nervous system and cause problems with movement and memory. Nitrate in drinking water is particularly concerning for infants and can interfere with how blood carries oxygen.
County wells are moderately hard, which means you may notice white, chalky scale building up inside pipes and on fixtures like faucets and showerheads. Hard water can shorten the lifespan of appliances like water heaters and dishwashers. You might also notice that soap doesn't lather as well as it should, and your skin or hair may feel sticky after washing.
Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your well, since every well is different and your water may have higher or lower levels than what is common in the county. We recommend a comprehensive metals and minerals panel, which typically costs between two hundred and four hundred dollars. Iron removal filters or water softeners can help address these concerns 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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manganese | 36 | 39% | Moderate | High | |
| Nitrate | 175 | 18% | High | High | |
| Iron | 35 | 14% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Uranium | 5 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 42 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFOS | 5 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFOA | 5 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFNA | 5 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFHxS | 5 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Nitrite | 168 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Lead | 20 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) | 5 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Fluoride | 23 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Chloride | 180 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Arsenic | 20 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Hardness | 43 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Sodium | 172 | — | High | Low | |
| pH | 183 | — | High | Low | |
| PFBS | 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.
Loading recent water news…