Groundwater in Chisago County contains arsenic, radon, iron, lead, manganese, chloride, and PFAS chemicals. Several of these contaminants exceed EPA health standards and warrant attention from well owners.
The rock beneath this county naturally releases radon, manganese, and iron into groundwater as water sits in contact with it over time. Arsenic and lead also occur naturally in certain rock layers. Chloride and PFAS chemicals come from human activities--road salt, industrial use, and contaminated sites that allow these substances to seep downward into wells.
Groundwater in this county is hard, driven by calcium and magnesium from the rock. The mixed rock composition underlying Chisago County naturally produces this hardness. Elevated iron is also present, giving the water additional mineral character. These characteristics show up across many wells throughout the county.
Wells in Chisago County contain several contaminants that exceed EPA health standards. Arsenic, lead, and radon are known cancer risks that can build up in your body over time. Radon is a radioactive gas that increases lung cancer risk when you breathe it in. Pfoa, pfos, and pfhxs are industrial chemicals linked to serious health effects. Chloride at high levels can harm kidneys and hearts, especially in people with certain health conditions. Manganese affects how children's brains develop and function.
County well water is hard, which means it leaves white scale buildup on fixtures, in pipes, and inside appliances like water heaters and dishwashers. Hard water shortens the lifespan of these appliances. Iron in the water causes rust-colored staining on sinks, toilets, and laundry. You may notice a metallic or unpleasant taste in your water. Soap and shampoo do not work well in hard water.
We recommend testing your well with a comprehensive metals, minerals, and radon panel because multiple contaminants exceed health standards in county wells. Every well is different--yours could have higher or lower levels than what is common here. Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your water so you can treat it properly. A comprehensive panel typically costs $200 to $400. Treatment options include activated carbon filters, radon aeration systems, and iron removal.
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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Radon | 1 | 100% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Manganese | 52 | 69% | Moderate | High | |
| Iron | 143 | 24% | High | High | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 33 | 9% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Chloride | 191 | 7% | High | Moderate | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 28 | 7% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Arsenic | 118 | 5% | High | Moderate | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 26 | 4% | Moderate |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Lead | 118 | 3% | High | Low | |
| Fluoride | 122 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Nitrate | 106 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Nitrite | 91 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Sulfate | 162 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Uranium | 83 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 28 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 24 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Sodium | 140 | — | High | Low | |
| pH | 47 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 26 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Hardness | 16 | — | 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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