Groundwater in Clearwater County contains arsenic, iron, lead, manganese, and radon. Several of these contaminants exceed EPA health standards and deserve your attention.
The rock beneath this county naturally releases these metals into groundwater as water moves slowly underground. Arsenic, iron, manganese, and lead occur in the local rock and dissolve into water over time. Radon gas also seeps into groundwater from radioactive minerals in the surrounding rock.
Groundwater in this county is very hard, driven by elevated calcium and magnesium from the bedrock. As water filters through the local rock, it picks up these minerals that make the water hard. This very hard water character is widespread across wells throughout the county.
Wells in Clearwater County commonly exceed EPA health standards for arsenic, lead, radon, and manganese. Arsenic and lead are toxic metals that build up in your body over time and can cause serious harm to your kidneys, nervous system, and heart. Radon is a radioactive gas that increases lung cancer risk when you breathe it in. Manganese at high levels can affect brain development and function, especially in children.
The water in this county is extremely hard, which causes real problems for your home. You will see rust-colored stains on sinks, toilets, and laundry. Hard water creates scale buildup inside water heaters, dishwashers, and pipes that shortens how long these appliances last. Your soap won't lather well, and dishes may spot or film over.
Since multiple contaminants exceed health standards in county wells, a comprehensive metals panel is recommended to find out what is actually in your water. Your well could have higher or lower levels than what is common here--testing is the only way to know for certain. Once you know your results, treatment systems for arsenic removal, radon reduction, and water softening can address these concerns.
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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manganese | 39 | 36% | Moderate | High | |
| Radon | 4 | 25% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Iron | 53 | 17% | Moderate | High | |
| Arsenic | 43 | 12% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Lead | 46 | 2% | Moderate | Low | |
| Chloride | 72 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Fluoride | 55 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrite | 15 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Sulfate | 72 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Uranium | 4 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOS | 4 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Nitrate | 24 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) | 4 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFNA | 4 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOA | 4 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 71 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| pH | 52 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Hardness | 41 | — | 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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