Groundwater in Freeborn County contains arsenic, chloride, iron, lead, nitrate, nitrite, radon, and sulfate at levels that exceed EPA health standards. These contaminants are present at concerning concentrations that well owners need to address.
The limestone bedrock beneath this county naturally contains iron and other minerals that dissolve into groundwater. Radon comes from radioactive elements in the rock itself. Nitrate, nitrite, and chloride enter from agricultural and road salt use on the land above. Lead typically comes from old well components or pipes in individual systems rather than from the source water.
Groundwater in Freeborn County is very hard, driven by elevated calcium and magnesium leached from the limestone below. The limestone aquifer here naturally produces water with high hardness wherever wells tap into it. Most wells in this county experience this same hard water condition.
Wells in Freeborn County show elevated levels of arsenic, lead, nitrate, nitrite, radon, and chloride--all at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Arsenic and lead are heavy metals that build up in your body over time and can damage your kidneys, bones, and nervous system. Nitrate and nitrite harm infants and can interfere with how blood carries oxygen. Radon is a radioactive gas that increases lung cancer risk when you breathe it in over years.
The water in this county is very hard, which means mineral buildup happens fast. You will see staining on fixtures, soap scum in showers, and scale inside pipes and appliances. Hard water shortens the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers. The high iron content can leave rust-colored stains on sinks and laundry.
We recommend getting your well tested with a comprehensive panel that covers metals, minerals, bacteria, and radioactive elements--this is the only way to know what is actually in your water and how to treat it. Your well may have higher or lower levels than the county average, so testing tells you what your family needs. A comprehensive panel costs between $200 and $400. Treatment options range from water softeners for hardness to activated carbon filters or reverse osmosis systems for specific 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 | 58 | 56% | Moderate | High | |
| Radon | 7 | 43% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Lead | 33 | 28% | Moderate | High | |
| Arsenic | 27 | 22% | Moderate | High | |
| Nitrate | 70 | 4% | Moderate |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Sulfate | 54 | 4% | Moderate |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Nitrite | 41 | 2% | Moderate | Low | |
| Chloride | 61 | 2% | Moderate | Low | |
| Fluoride | 20 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 6 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 6 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 6 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 6 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 6 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 6 | — | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| E. coli | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Fecal Coliform | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Nitrite | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 18 | — | — | Moderate | Low |
| Total Coliform | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Manganese | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 45 | — | — | Moderate | Low |
| pH | 14 | — | — | 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.
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