Groundwater in Houghton County contains iron, manganese, and arsenic. Iron and manganese exceed EPA health standards in this area, which are concerns that well owners should take seriously.
These metals come from the mixed rock layers beneath the county. As groundwater moves slowly through cracks and spaces in the bedrock, water dissolves iron and manganese naturally present in the stone. Arsenic also occurs in trace amounts within these same rock formations.
Groundwater in this county is moderately hard, driven by dissolved calcium and magnesium from the surrounding bedrock. Iron concentrates in the water as it sits in contact with iron-rich minerals in the rock layers. Elevated iron is common across wells throughout Houghton County.
Wells in Houghton County commonly contain iron and manganese at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Iron at elevated concentrations can affect how your body absorbs other nutrients and processes oxygen. Manganese at high levels can harm brain development in children and may affect nervous system function in adults. Arsenic is also present in county wells, though typically at lower levels than the iron and manganese.
The moderately hard water in this county can cause some quality-of-life concerns. Iron leaves orange or rust-colored stains on sinks, toilets, and laundry that are difficult to remove. You may notice a metallic taste in the water or discolored water coming from your taps. Over time, hard water can shorten the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers due to scale buildup.
We recommend testing your well water with a comprehensive metals and minerals panel to see what is actually in your water. Every well is different, and your well may have higher or lower levels than what is common in the county. Testing is the only way to know what you are dealing with so it can be properly treated. A comprehensive panel typically costs between $200 and $400, and iron removal systems or water softeners can address many of these concerns.
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 | 6 | 17% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Iron | 6 | 17% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Arsenic | 6 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Chloride | 6 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Fluoride | 6 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Lead | 6 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Nitrite | 6 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 11 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 6 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Uranium | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Nitrate | 6 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 6 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| pH | 6 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 8 | — | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 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.
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