Groundwater in Itasca County contains arsenic, chloride, iron, lead, manganese, PFOA, PFOS, and sulfate at levels that exceed EPA health standards. These contaminants are present at concentrations serious enough to require attention from well owners.
The rock layers beneath this county naturally release iron and manganese as water passes through them over time. Arsenic also occurs naturally in these deeper rock formations. Lead and some of the industrial chemicals like PFOA and PFOS enter groundwater from human sources--old pipes, industrial sites, or past disposal practices. Chloride and sulfate build up from both natural rock dissolution and road salt or fertilizer use.
Groundwater in this county is very hard, driven by elevated calcium and magnesium from the rock below. The Lower Cretaceous rock formations here contain minerals that dissolve easily into water as it moves underground. This hard water character is widespread across wells throughout the county.
Arsenic, chloride, lead, manganese, and PFOA and PFOS are found at unhealthy levels in wells across this county. Arsenic builds up in your body and can cause cancer and organ damage. Lead harms children's brain development and learning, and damages kidneys and nerves in adults. Manganese affects the brain and nervous system, especially in children. PFOA and PFOS are industrial chemicals that build up in blood and damage the immune system and liver.
Wells in this county have very hard water, which leaves scale on fixtures and inside pipes. You may notice white crusty buildup on faucets and showerheads, and soap does not lather well. Hard water shortens the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers. Moderate iron levels can stain laundry and bathroom fixtures with orange or brown marks and create a metallic taste.
Your well is unique, and its contamination levels could be higher or lower than what is common here. Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your water so you can treat it properly. We recommend a comprehensive metals and minerals panel that checks for arsenic, lead, manganese, PFOA, PFOS, and other metals--these tests typically cost $200 to $400. Treatment options like reverse osmosis systems or specialized filters can remove many of these 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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manganese | 154 | 51% | High | High | |
| Iron | 167 | 41% | High | High | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 35 | 23% | Moderate | High | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 26 | 15% | Moderate | High | |
| Arsenic | 90 | 4% | Moderate |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Sulfate | 153 | 1% | High | Low | |
| Lead | 90 | 1% | Moderate | Low | |
| Chloride | 373 | 1% | High | Low | |
| Fluoride | 102 | 0% | High | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 4 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 21 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 17 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Nitrate | 66 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Sodium | 157 | — | High | Low | |
| pH | 58 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 4 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 54 | — | 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.
* 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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