Groundwater in Chippewa County contains iron, manganese, sulfate, arsenic, lead, nitrate, and PFOA. Multiple contaminants exceed EPA health standards, with iron and sulfate reaching very high levels and hardness at very high concentrations.
The rock beneath this county naturally releases iron, manganese, and sulfate as groundwater moves through it. Arsenic and lead also occur naturally in the bedrock. Nitrate comes from agricultural fertilizers and septic systems that seep downward into the water supply.
Groundwater in this county is very hard, with the character driven by elevated calcium, magnesium, iron, and sulfate concentrated from the local rock. As water sits in contact with the bedrock for years, these minerals dissolve and accumulate in the water. These mineral levels are widespread across wells throughout the county.
Wells in Chippewa County show elevated levels of PFOA, arsenic, lead, and nitrate that exceed EPA health standards. Arsenic and lead build up in your body over time and raise the risk of cancer and organ damage. Lead is especially dangerous for children because it can harm brain development. PFOA is a chemical that stays in your body and can affect your immune system and other organs. Nitrate poses serious health risks to infants and young children.
The water in this county is extremely hard with very high iron and sulfate levels. You will see rust-colored stains on fixtures, laundry, and skin from the iron. The extreme hardness can damage water heaters and dishwashers faster than normal. You may notice a rotten egg smell from sulfate or a salty taste from the high sodium. Hard water also makes it difficult to get soap to lather and can leave spots on dishes.
We recommend testing your well water right away with a comprehensive metals and minerals panel, which typically costs $200 to $400. 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. Treatment options include reverse osmosis systems, ion exchange softeners, or whole-home filters depending on what testing shows.
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 | 21 | 90% | Moderate | High | |
| Manganese | 21 | 67% | Moderate | High | |
| Sulfate | 23 | 57% | Moderate | High | |
| Arsenic | 2 | 50% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Lead | 2 | 50% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 8 | 12% | Low | Moderate ⓘ | |
| Nitrate | 23 | 4% | Moderate |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Nitrite | 17 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 9 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Chloride | 31 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Fluoride | 21 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 2 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 21 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| pH | 9 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 6 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 3 | — | 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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