Aitkin County groundwater contains arsenic, iron, lead, manganese, nitrate, nitrite, and PFAS chemicals (pfhxs, pfna, pfoa, pfos). Multiple contaminants exceed EPA health standards, making testing and treatment important for well owners in this area.
The Lower Cretaceous rock layers beneath Aitkin County naturally release arsenic, iron, and manganese as groundwater moves through them over time. Nitrate and nitrite come from fertilizer and waste that seep down from the land surface. PFAS chemicals entered groundwater from industrial activities and products used in the region.
Groundwater in this county is very hard, driven by elevated calcium and magnesium from the rock layers below. The same rock that creates hardness also contains iron, which dissolves into the water as it flows underground. High iron and very hard water are widespread across wells throughout the county.
Wells in Aitkin County exceed EPA health standards for arsenic, lead, nitrate, nitrite, manganese, and several PFOA-related chemicals. Arsenic damages kidneys and increases cancer risk. Lead harms children's brain development and nervous system function. Nitrate and nitrite reduce oxygen in blood, especially dangerous for infants. Manganese affects brain development at high levels.
County wells are very hard, which causes scale buildup on pipes and appliances and shortens the life of water heaters and dishwashers. High iron levels create orange or brown staining on fixtures and laundry, plus a metallic taste in water.
We recommend a comprehensive metals and minerals panel to test your well, since every well is different and your water may have higher or lower levels than what is common in the county. A comprehensive panel costs $200-400 and is the only way to know what is actually in your water so you can treat it properly. Treatment options include reverse osmosis systems, activated carbon filters, or manganese removal systems depending on your results.
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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PFHxS | 1 | 100% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Manganese | 126 | 75% | High | High | |
| Iron | 135 | 47% | High | High | |
| PFOA | 16 | 31% | Moderate | High | |
| PFOS | 8 | 25% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Arsenic | 104 | 12% | High | Moderate | |
| PFNA | 9 | 11% | Low | Moderate ⓘ | |
| Nitrite | 14 | 7% | Low | Moderate | |
| Nitrate | 38 | 5% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Lead | 104 | 1% | High | Low | |
| Chloride | 136 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Fluoride | 137 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Radon | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 136 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Uranium | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 137 | — | High | Low | |
| pH | 23 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS | 3 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 23 | — | 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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