Groundwater in Florence County contains arsenic, manganese, and iron that well owners should be aware of. Arsenic, manganese, and iron all exceed EPA health standards, which means these contaminants are at levels that need attention.
These contaminants come from the bedrock itself. As groundwater moves slowly through the cracks and spaces in the mixed rock layers beneath Florence County, iron and manganese dissolve out naturally. Arsenic also occurs naturally in trace amounts locked inside the rock minerals. The "other rocks" composition here naturally releases these metals into the water over time.
Groundwater in this county is hard, driven mainly by calcium and magnesium from the surrounding rock. This hardness reflects the mineral-rich character of the local bedrock and the slow dissolving of rock material as water passes through. Hard water is common across most wells in Florence County.
Wells in Florence County commonly contain arsenic, iron, manganese, PFOA, and PFOS at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Arsenic can cause skin problems, bladder disease, and lung cancer with long-term exposure. Manganese can harm brain development in children and affect nervous system function in adults. PFOA and PFOS are industrial chemicals that can weaken the immune system and increase cholesterol levels. Iron and manganese together create multiple health concerns beyond their individual effects.
Wells in this county have hard water, which leaves white scale buildup on pipes, faucets, and fixtures. The scale can shorten the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers. You may notice staining from iron or a metallic taste in your water. Hard water also makes soap less effective for cleaning dishes and laundry.
We recommend testing your well water, since every well is different and yours may have higher or lower levels than what is common in the county. Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your water so it can be properly treated. Because multiple analytes exceed health standards, a comprehensive metals and minerals panel is recommended, which typically costs $200-400. Iron removal systems and activated carbon filters can address several of these concerns.
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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arsenic | 1 | 100% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Manganese | 24 | 58% | Moderate | High | |
| Iron | 24 | 29% | Moderate | High | |
| PFOA | 5 | 20% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| PFOS | 5 | 20% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Chloride | 31 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Fluoride | 25 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) | 5 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Lead | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Nitrate | 27 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrite | 11 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| PFHxS | 5 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFNA | 5 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Radon | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 31 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Uranium | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 31 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS | 5 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| pH | 31 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Sodium | 20 | — | 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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