Groundwater in Crow Wing County contains manganese, iron, arsenic, chloride, lead, and PFOA and PFOS compounds. Several of these contaminants exceed EPA health standards, making them a real concern for well owners in this area.
These metals and contaminants come from the local rock and soil. Manganese and iron occur naturally in the underlying rock and are released into groundwater as water moves through the ground. Arsenic also comes from natural rock sources. Lead and the PFOA and PFOS compounds can come from both natural sources and human activities like old waste sites or industrial use.
Groundwater in this county is soft but carries moderate iron, with elevated manganese as well. These metals dissolve from the rock as water filters down, and they concentrate in the groundwater over time. Most wells in this county show detectable amounts of these metals based on what testing reveals.
Wells in Crow Wing County have been found to contain arsenic, lead, chloride, PFOA, and PFOS at levels above EPA health standards. Arsenic and lead are toxic metals that can build up in your body over time and damage your kidneys, bones, and nervous system. PFOA and PFOS are chemicals linked to liver damage, thyroid problems, and weakened immunity. Chloride at high levels can affect people with heart or kidney conditions.
Iron and manganese in county well water create orange or brown staining on fixtures, laundry, and dishes. These minerals can also leave a metallic taste in your water. The good news is that wells in this county are generally soft, so you won't experience the scale buildup that hard water causes on pipes and appliances.
Every well is different, and your water could have higher or lower levels than what is common in the county. Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your well so you can treat it properly. We recommend a comprehensive metals and minerals panel, which typically costs $200 to $400. Depending on what testing shows, treatment options like carbon filters for chemicals or iron removal systems can help protect your family.
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 | 6 | 60% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Iron | 87 | 49% | Moderate | High | |
| Arsenic | 49 | 17% | Moderate | High | |
| Lead | 43 | 7% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 82 | 6% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 61 | 5% | Moderate |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Chloride | 81 | 1% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrite | 12 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| Radon | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 71 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Uranium | 38 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Fluoride | 24 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Sulfate | 76 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 65 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 5 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 6 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Fecal Coliform | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 34 | — | — | Moderate | Low |
| Total Coliform | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| E. coli | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Nitrate | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 77 | — | — | Moderate | Low |
| pH | 31 | — | — | 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.
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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