Crawford County's groundwater contains iron, nitrate, PFOS, chloride, manganese, and sulfate. Several of these contaminants--chloride, iron, manganese, nitrate, and PFOS--exceed EPA health standards, so well owners should test their water.
These contaminants come from two sources. Iron and manganese dissolve naturally from the rock layers beneath the county as groundwater moves slowly downward. Nitrate enters from agricultural and land use activities above ground, while chloride also occurs in the deep bedrock. PFOS is a human-made chemical that persists in groundwater once it enters.
The groundwater in Crawford County is very hard, driven by elevated calcium and magnesium from the rock below. As water filters through the limestone and sandstone layers, it picks up these minerals over time. Very hard water is widespread across wells throughout the county.
Several analytes in county wells exceed EPA health standards: chloride, iron, manganese, nitrate, PFOS, and sulfate. Iron and manganese can affect the blood and nervous system over time. Nitrate is especially concerning for infants and can interfere with oxygen in the body. Chloride at elevated levels can be a problem for people on sodium-restricted diets. PFOS is a human-made chemical that builds up in the body and may affect the immune system and liver.
The county's groundwater is very hard, which causes noticeable problems in daily life. Hard water leaves white, chalky scale on pipes, fixtures, and inside appliances. You may also see rusty orange or brown staining from iron on sinks, toilets, and laundry. Soap and shampoo work less effectively in hard water. Very hard water can shorten the lifespan of water heaters, dishwashers, and other appliances by years.
Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your well, since every well is different and your water could have higher or lower levels than what is common in the county. We recommend a comprehensive metals and minerals panel to check all the analytes of concern, which typically costs between $200 and $400. Treatment options like iron removal systems and water softeners can address many of these issues once you know your specific results.
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 | 55 | 33% | Moderate | High | |
| Nitrate | 45 | 16% | Moderate | High | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 7 | 14% | Low | Moderate ⓘ | |
| Manganese | 50 | 12% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Sulfate | 55 | 11% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Chloride | 56 | 11% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Uranium | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 7 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 7 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 7 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Nitrite | 10 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| Lead | 3 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 7 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Fluoride | 46 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Arsenic | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 38 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| pH | 57 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 7 | — | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 56 | — | 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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