Well water in Jackson County, Kansas
In Jackson County, 26% of 88 tested well samples exceeded the EPA limit for E. coli (0 MPN/100mL), based on public data from USGS Water Quality Portal.
88 individual samples from 21 wells, 1977 to 2026. Data refreshed September 3, 2026.
What individual samples found
Each row summarizes every public sample for that contaminant inside Jackson County. Above limit means above the EPA maximum contaminant level; where EPA has no enforceable limit, the row shows a health guideline or nuisance level instead.
| Contaminant | Samples | Detected | Above limit | Median | Highest | Limit | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E. coli 2000 to 2026 | 88 | 26% | 26% | 0 | 14,000 | 0 MPN/100mL EPA limit | |
| Lead 1977 to 2011 | 22 | 95% | 0% | 0 | 0.031 | 15 ug/L EPA limit |
Sampled fewer than 10 times, too few to summarize: Uranium (3), Arsenic (1), Nitrate (1), Fluoride (1), Radium (226 + 228) (1), Chloride (1), Sodium (1), Manganese (1), Iron (1).
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What this means
The contaminants most often above their limit here are e. coli (26% of 88 samples). A well next door can differ sharply from yours because bedrock fractures, well depth and plumbing all matter, so these rates describe the area, not your tap.
Chloride and Iron are widespread in local groundwater. They are mainly a staining and taste problem, but high manganese also carries a health advisory for infants.
What to test for in Jackson County
- Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)51 leaking underground storage tank sites on record locally.
- E. coli26% of 88 local samples were above the limit.
- FluorideDetected in 100% of local samples.
- ChlorideDetected in 100% of local samples.
- IronDetected in 100% of local samples.
- NitrateRecommended for every private well, especially near farms or septic systems.
Contamination sources on record in Jackson County
KDHE records 51 leaking underground storage tank sites in Jackson County, among 64 regulated sites in total. Groundwater does not follow property lines, so a well within a few hundred feet of one of these is worth testing for what that site could release.
- 51
- leaking underground storage tank sitesGasoline and heating oil that leaked from tanks move through groundwater as benzene, MTBE and other volatile organic compounds.
- 4
- other remediation projects
- 9
- other solid waste facilities
Treatment that fits the local profile
- E. coli
- Shock chlorination and fix the well cap or casing; UV disinfection whole-house; Chlorination system
- Fluoride
- Point-of-use reverse osmosis; Activated alumina; Distillation
- Chloride
- Point-of-use reverse osmosis; Distillation
- Iron
- Oxidizing filter whole-house; Water softener (low levels); Aeration plus filtration
Get your Jackson County water tested at home
A licensed local water treatment company tests your tap water in your home, walks you through the numbers, and quotes treatment only if something needs fixing. Free, about 30 minutes, no obligation. Tell us what you need and we match you with a company that serves Jackson County.
Common questions
Is there arsenic in well water in Jackson County?
Arsenic was detected in 100% of 1 public well samples in Jackson County, and 0% were above the EPA limit of 10 ug/L. Arsenic has no taste or smell; a lab test is the only way to know your level.
How often should I test a private well in Jackson County?
Test for bacteria and nitrate every year. Test once for arsenic, uranium, radon, fluoride, manganese and PFAS, then again every three to five years or after any change in taste, color, or plumbing.
Sources
- USGS Water Quality Portal: 121 samples in Jackson County. Data from the Water Quality Portal, a service of USGS, EPA and USDA; groundwater samples collected by USGS and cooperators. Retrieved September 3, 2026.
- KDHE regulated sites: 64 regulated sites located in Jackson County. Identified contaminated sites, leaking underground storage tank facilities and solid waste facilities from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. Retrieved September 9, 2026.
Non-detects count as samples and are treated as zero when computing medians. Exactly at the limit counts as not above it. A sample belongs to the town containing the well's reported coordinates.