Dodge County's well water contains arsenic, iron, lead, manganese, nitrate, and human-made chemicals called PFOA and PFOS. Several of these contaminants exceed EPA health standards and warrant attention from well owners.
The limestone rock beneath this county naturally releases iron and manganese as water moves through it over time. Arsenic also comes from the rock itself. Nitrate enters from agricultural fertilizers and septic systems in this farming area. Lead comes from old plumbing materials in some homes. The PFOA and PFOS are industrial chemicals that have contaminated some wells through spills or disposal.
Dodge County's water is very hard, driven by calcium and magnesium leached from the limestone bedrock. As water slowly dissolves the limestone, these minerals accumulate in the groundwater. Very hard water is common across wells throughout this county.
Dodge County wells contain arsenic, lead, nitrate, manganese, and human-made chemicals called PFOA, PFOS, and PFHxS at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Arsenic is a poison that damages organs and increases cancer risk. Lead harms children's brain development and causes learning problems. Nitrate is dangerous for infants and can affect oxygen in the blood. Manganese at high levels can damage the nervous system. These chemicals pose serious health risks to you and your family.
The very hard water in Dodge County wells causes real problems in your home. Hard water leaves white scale buildup on fixtures, in pipes, and on dishes. It makes soap less effective for cleaning and bathing. The high iron content stains laundry, sinks, and toilets orange-brown. Over time, mineral buildup shortens the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers. You may also notice a metallic taste in the water.
We recommend testing your well right away because every well is different and yours 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 water so you can treat it properly. A comprehensive metals and contaminants panel typically costs $200-400 and checks for all the concerning analytes. Depending on your results, treatment options like iron filters, water softeners, and arsenic 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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iron | 119 | 80% | High | High | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 10 | 30% | Low | High | |
| Manganese | 107 | 30% | High | High | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 8 | 25% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 9 | 22% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Nitrate | 17 | 6% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Arsenic | 109 | 5% | High |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Lead | 109 | 1% | High | Low | |
| Chloride | 135 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Fluoride | 120 | 0% | High | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 6 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Nitrite | 9 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 6 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Radon | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 136 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Uranium | 4 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 119 | — | High | Low | |
| pH | 9 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 12 | — | Low | Low | |
| Hardness | 10 | — | 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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