Groundwater in Faribault County contains iron, lead, arsenic, nitrate, chloride, and sulfate at levels that exceed EPA health standards. These contaminants are present at concerning concentrations that well owners need to address.
The limestone and carbonate rock beneath this county naturally contains iron and sulfate, which dissolve into groundwater over time. Nitrate and chloride come from fertilizer use and road salt applied on the surface, which seep down into the aquifer. Lead enters some wells through plumbing and corrosion rather than from the rock itself.
Groundwater in this county is very hard, driven by elevated calcium and magnesium released from the carbonate rock below. The moderate sulfate levels also reflect the natural minerals in this limestone-based aquifer system. These mineral characteristics are widespread across wells throughout the county.
Wells in Faribault County show arsenic, chloride, iron, lead, nitrate, and sulfate at levels above EPA health standards. Arsenic and lead are toxic metals that build up in your body over time and can damage your kidneys, nervous system, and bones. Nitrate is especially dangerous for babies and can interfere with how blood carries oxygen. Chloride and sulfate at high levels can cause digestive problems.
The very hard water in county wells leaves white scale buildup on faucets, shower heads, and inside pipes. Iron stains your sinks, toilets, and laundry orange or brown and makes water taste metallic. Hard water reduces how long water heaters and dishwashers last because minerals clog them up. You may notice spots on dishes and difficulty getting soap to lather.
We recommend testing your well with a comprehensive panel that checks for metals, minerals, bacteria, and nitrate since multiple contaminants exceed health standards. Testing costs between $200 and $400 and is the only way to know what is actually in your water so you can treat it properly. Every well is different--yours could have higher or lower levels than the county average. Treatment options like reverse osmosis, activated carbon, or water softeners can address different contaminants.
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 | 77 | 65% | Moderate | High | |
| Lead | 43 | 36% | Moderate | High | |
| Arsenic | 24 | 17% | Moderate | High | |
| Sulfate | 54 | 15% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Nitrate | 75 | 14% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Chloride | 62 | 5% | Moderate |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 2 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 2 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Radon | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Uranium | 5 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Fluoride | 24 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 2 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 2 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 2 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 2 | — | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 27 | — | — | Moderate | Low |
| Fecal Coliform | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Total Coliform | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| E. coli | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Nitrite | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Manganese | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 51 | — | — | Moderate | Low |
| pH | 9 | — | — | 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.
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.
Loading recent water news…