Groundwater in Keweenaw County contains iron, lead, and arsenic. Iron and lead exceed EPA health standards, which is concerning enough to warrant testing and possible treatment.
These metals come from the bedrock beneath the county. The rock formation here contains iron-bearing minerals that dissolve into groundwater as water moves slowly through cracks and spaces underground. Lead also occurs naturally in the local rock. Arsenic appears in trace amounts from the same mineral-rich bedrock.
Groundwater in this county is moderately hard, driven mainly by elevated iron and moderate calcium and magnesium. The iron comes directly from the bedrock minerals that surround the water as it sits underground. Moderate hardness and elevated iron are common across wells in this county.
Wells in Keweenaw County commonly contain iron and lead at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Iron can affect how your body absorbs oxygen and cause problems with blood health over time. Lead is especially dangerous because it can harm brain development in children and cause lasting damage to the nervous system even at low exposure levels. Both metals can build up in your body from drinking contaminated water over months and years.
The moderately hard water in this county can cause visible problems in your home. Iron leaves orange or rust-colored stains on sinks, toilets, and laundry that are hard to remove. You may notice a metallic taste in the water or see discolored water coming from your taps. Over time, hard water can shorten the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers by building up mineral scale inside them.
We recommend testing your well water with a comprehensive metals and minerals panel, since 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 is actually in your water so you can treat it properly. A comprehensive panel typically costs between $200 and $400. Iron can be addressed with filtration systems, and lead requires specific treatment designed to remove it from drinking water.
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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lead | 4 | 25% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Iron | 4 | 25% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| PFNA | 28 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFOA | 32 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFOS | 25 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Fluoride | 4 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Nitrite | 4 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Manganese | 4 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Nitrate | 4 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 4 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Radon | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Uranium | 4 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Arsenic | 4 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Chloride | 4 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 4 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| pH | 4 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 4 | — | 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.
Order a Tap Score Test →Population-level CDC data. Not individual risk prediction.
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