Groundwater in Taylor County contains iron, manganese, and PFOA at levels that exceed EPA health standards. These contaminants are present at concentrations high enough to warrant your attention.
Iron and manganese come naturally from the rock beneath this county. As water seeps through these rocks over time, it dissolves these metals and carries them into your well. PFOA is a human-made chemical that enters groundwater from industrial sources and some firefighting activities in the region.
Groundwater in this county is hard, driven by elevated calcium and magnesium that come from the local rock composition. The same rock layers that contribute iron and manganese also add minerals that increase hardness. These characteristics show up across many wells in Taylor County.
Iron, manganese, and PFOA all exceed health standards in county wells. Iron and manganese can harm your nervous system and organ function over time. PFOA is a human-made chemical that builds up in your body and poses serious health risks, especially for children and pregnant women.
Hard water in this county causes orange and brown staining on fixtures, dishes, and laundry. The same minerals leave scale buildup inside pipes and appliances. Your water heater and dishwasher may wear out faster than normal. You might notice a metallic taste in your water.
Every well is different--yours could have higher or lower levels than what is common here. Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your well so it can be properly treated. We recommend a comprehensive metals and minerals panel, which typically costs two hundred to four hundred dollars. Iron and manganese removal systems, along with activated carbon filters for PFOA, 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 | 14 | 57% | Low | High | |
| Manganese | 14 | 57% | Low | High | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 19 | 5% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Arsenic | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Chloride | 14 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| Fluoride | 9 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 19 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Lead | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Nitrate | 11 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| Nitrite | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 19 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 19 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 19 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Sulfate | 14 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| Hardness | 14 | — | Low | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 19 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| pH | 14 | — | Low | Low | |
| Sodium | 6 | — | 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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