Groundwater in Fillmore County contains arsenic, iron, lead, nitrate, and PFOA at levels that exceed EPA health standards. These contaminants are present at concentrations that should prompt well owners to test their water and consider treatment.
The limestone bedrock beneath this county naturally releases iron and contributes to nitrate accumulation when fertilizer or septic systems leak into the ground. Arsenic and lead come from the rock itself, while PFOA enters groundwater from industrial or commercial sources on the land surface. All five contaminants can move through the carbonate rock and reach private wells.
Groundwater in this county is very hard, driven by elevated calcium and magnesium that dissolve from the limestone aquifer below. The same limestone that causes hardness also allows water to move freely through fractures and pores, which is why contaminants reach wells across the county. Hard water is the norm for wells here.
Wells in Fillmore County show concerning levels of arsenic, lead, nitrate, and PFOA above EPA health standards. Arsenic can damage your kidneys and increase cancer risk over time. Lead harms brain development in children and can affect how kidneys and nervous systems work. Nitrate is especially dangerous for babies under six months old and can prevent their blood from carrying oxygen properly. PFOA builds up in your body and has been linked to health problems including cancer and immune system issues.
The very hard water in county wells causes white scale buildup on faucets and inside pipes. Iron leaves reddish or brown stains on sinks, toilets, and laundry that are hard to remove. The extreme hardness also shortens the lifespan of water heaters, dishwashers, and other appliances by causing mineral deposits inside them. Your soap won't lather well, and you'll use more of it to get clean.
We recommend a comprehensive water test right away since multiple contaminants exceed health standards in this county. Every well is different, and your water could have higher or lower levels than what is common here. Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your well so you can treat it properly. A comprehensive metals and minerals panel costs between two hundred and four hundred dollars and will identify exactly what needs treatment, whether that is a water softener, activated carbon filter, or combination system.
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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 6 | 100% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Iron | 42 | 46% | Moderate | High | |
| Nitrate | 48 | 17% | Moderate | High | |
| Arsenic | 16 | 12% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Lead | 15 | 7% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Sulfate | 37 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Chloride | 58 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrite | 10 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 4 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 4 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Manganese | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 4 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 4 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Fluoride | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| E. coli | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Fecal Coliform | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Nitrite | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 8 | — | — | Low | Low ⓘ |
| Sodium | 40 | — | — | Moderate | Low |
| pH | 12 | — | — | Low | Low |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 4 | — | Low | Safe ⓘ |
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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