Groundwater in Chippewa County contains iron, lead, and chloride. These contaminants exceed EPA health standards, so well owners in this county should be aware of them.
The Jacobsville aquifer here is made of reddish sandstone that contains iron minerals naturally. As groundwater slowly moves through this rock, iron dissolves into the water. Lead can also seep into water from the rock itself or from old pipes and plumbing in wells. Chloride reaches groundwater through road salt and other sources in the area.
Groundwater in this county is moderately hard, driven mainly by iron. The sandstone releases iron as water passes through tiny spaces in the rock over time. Iron at these moderate levels is common across wells in Chippewa County.
Wells in Chippewa County commonly contain chloride, iron, lead, and sulfate at levels exceeding EPA health standards. Lead can damage the brain and nervous system, especially in children, even at low levels. Iron and chloride exposure over time can cause stomach problems. Sulfate in drinking water may cause digestive issues in some people.
Hard water in this county can leave white crusty buildup on faucets and fixtures. Iron stains sinks, toilets, and laundry with orange or rust-colored marks. You may notice a metallic or bitter taste in your water. Over time, mineral buildup can shorten the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers.
We recommend testing your well to find out what is actually in it. Every well is different, and your water may have higher or lower levels than what is common in the county. Testing is the only way to know so you can treat it properly. A comprehensive metals and minerals panel typically costs between two hundred and four hundred dollars, and treatment options like iron filters or water softeners can remove these contaminants.
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 | 25 | 36% | Moderate | High | |
| Lead | 25 | 12% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Chloride | 24 | 8% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Sulfate | 17 | 6% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Arsenic | 24 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Fluoride | 17 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 10 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| Manganese | 18 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrite | 17 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 10 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 10 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 12 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 10 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| Uranium | 10 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| Nitrate | 17 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Sodium | 17 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| pH | 26 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 10 | — | Low | Safe | |
| Hardness | 17 | — | 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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