Groundwater in Baraga County contains manganese, iron, and arsenic. Iron and manganese exceed EPA health standards, making them the main concerns for well owners in this area.
The Jacobsville aquifer beneath Baraga County is made of sandstone and other rock types that naturally contain iron and manganese minerals. As groundwater moves slowly through cracks and spaces in this rock over time, water dissolves these metals and carries them into wells. Arsenic also occurs naturally in trace amounts within these same rock layers.
Groundwater in this county is moderately hard, driven primarily by elevated iron. The sandstone aquifer releases iron into the water as groundwater sits in contact with the rock. Moderate iron levels are common across wells in this county, and many wells show similar mineral profiles.
Wells in Baraga County commonly have iron and manganese at levels exceeding EPA health standards. Iron can affect how your body absorbs oxygen and nutrients over time. Manganese is a concern for children's brain development, and exposure over many years may harm how your body processes other metals. Both metals come from the rock underground where your well draws water.
County wells often produce water with a metallic taste or smell. You may notice orange or rust-colored staining on sinks, toilets, and laundry. The water here is moderately hard, which means mineral buildup can form on pipes and fixtures. Over time, hard water can shorten the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers.
We recommend testing your well to know exactly what is in your 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 understand what treatment your specific well needs. A comprehensive metals and minerals panel typically costs $200-400. Iron and manganese can often be treated with filtration or aeration systems.
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 | 26 | 35% | Moderate | High | |
| Iron | 26 | 27% | Moderate | High | |
| Arsenic | 16 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Chloride | 26 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Fluoride | 26 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Lead | 16 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrite | 26 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFOA | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 26 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Uranium | 4 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Nitrate | 26 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| pH | 26 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Hardness | 26 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Sodium | 26 | — | 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.
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