Groundwater in Gogebic County contains radon, iron, and manganese. Iron and manganese levels exceed EPA health standards, making them concerning contaminants that well owners should address.
Iron and manganese dissolve naturally from the rock layers beneath the county. The Jacobsville aquifer here is made of sandstone that contains iron minerals. As groundwater moves slowly through cracks in the stone over many years, these metals seep into the water. Radon forms from the natural radioactive decay of uranium in the bedrock.
Groundwater in this county is moderately hard, driven by iron and manganese that concentrate in the local rock. The sandstone formation releases these minerals as water passes through it. Elevated iron is common across wells throughout the county.
Wells in Gogebic County commonly exceed EPA health standards for iron, manganese, nitrate, and radon. Iron and manganese at elevated levels can harm your blood and nervous system over time. Nitrate contamination poses serious risks to infants and young children. Radon is a radioactive gas that increases cancer risk when present in drinking water at high levels.
County well water shows moderate hardness, which means you may notice some scale buildup on fixtures and reduced efficiency in water heaters and dishwashers. Iron in the water can cause orange-brown staining on clothes, bathroom fixtures, and plumbing. You might detect a metallic or bitter taste in the water. These mineral deposits can shorten the lifespan of appliances if left untreated.
We recommend a comprehensive metals and minerals panel to test your well, since multiple contaminants exceed standards in this county. Every well is different, and your water may have higher or lower levels than what is common here. Testing is the only way to know exactly what is in your well so you can treat it properly. A comprehensive panel typically costs $200-400, and treatment options like aeration systems and specific removal filters can address 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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Radon | 3 | 33% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Iron | 11 | 27% | Low | High | |
| Manganese | 11 | 18% | Low | High | |
| Nitrate | 11 | 9% | Low | Moderate | |
| Arsenic | 10 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| Chloride | 12 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| Fluoride | 9 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 2 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Lead | 10 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| Nitrite | 11 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 2 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 2 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 4 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 2 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 12 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| Uranium | 7 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 12 | — | Low | Low | |
| Sodium | 11 | — | Low | Low | |
| pH | 13 | — | Low | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 2 | — | Low | Safe ⓘ |
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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