Groundwater in Carver County contains iron, manganese, arsenic, and chloride at levels that exceed EPA health standards, along with very hard water. These contaminant levels are concerning enough to warrant testing and awareness among well owners.
The rock beneath Carver County naturally releases iron, manganese, and arsenic into the water as it sits underground. Chloride and sulfate also leach from the rock layers in this area, accumulating in wells over time. This county's geology is similar to surrounding counties, which all show comparable contamination patterns from natural mineral sources.
Groundwater in this county is very hard, driven by elevated calcium and magnesium, along with very high iron and moderate sodium. These minerals dissolve naturally from the rock as water moves through it underground. Very hard water with high iron is a widespread characteristic across wells in this county.
Arsenic, chloride, iron, manganese, and sulfate are found at levels above EPA health standards in county wells. Arsenic can damage organs and increase cancer risk over time. Manganese at elevated levels can affect brain development and nervous system function. Chloride and sulfate at high concentrations pose health concerns with long-term exposure. Iron and manganese themselves create health risks when consumed at very high levels.
County well water is very hard, which causes white, chalky buildup on fixtures and inside pipes. The high iron content creates rust-colored stains on sinks, toilets, and laundry. Water may taste metallic or have a musty smell from the manganese. Very hard water shortens the lifespan of water heaters, dishwashers, and other appliances because scale builds up inside them.
We recommend testing your well because every well is different, and yours may have higher or lower levels than what is common in the county. A comprehensive metals and minerals panel costs $200 to $400 and is the only way to know what is actually in your water so you can treat it properly. Water softeners can address hardness, while iron filters and other targeted treatments remove specific 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 | 101 | 83% | High | High | |
| Manganese | 28 | 82% | Moderate | High | |
| Arsenic | 83 | 29% | Moderate | High | |
| Sulfate | 98 | 2% | Moderate | Low | |
| Chloride | 112 | 2% | High | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 16 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 16 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 16 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 16 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Fluoride | 98 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 16 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Lead | 83 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrate | 107 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Nitrite | 83 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Uranium | 71 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Sodium | 97 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| pH | 23 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 16 | — | Moderate | Safe | |
| Hardness | 15 | — | 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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