Groundwater in Kandiyohi County contains iron, arsenic, sulfate, nitrate, and chloride. Several of these contaminants--arsenic, nitrate, and sulfate--exceed EPA health standards, so well owners in this county need to test their water and understand their source.
These contaminants come from a mix of natural and human sources. Arsenic occurs naturally in the rock layers beneath the county. Nitrate and chloride typically seep down from fertilizers, septic systems, and road salt applied above ground. Sulfate can come from both natural minerals in the rock and from human activities like fertilizer use.
Groundwater in this county is very hard, driven by high levels of calcium and magnesium dissolved from the bedrock. These minerals concentrate in water as it moves slowly through the underground rock layers over time. Hard water is the norm across wells throughout Kandiyohi County.
Arsenic, chloride, iron, nitrate, and sulfate have been found at levels exceeding EPA health standards in wells across Kandiyohi County. Arsenic can damage your kidneys and increase cancer risk over time. Nitrate is especially dangerous for babies and can interfere with how blood carries oxygen. Chloride and sulfate at high levels can cause digestive problems and other health effects with long-term exposure.
Wells in this county tend to have very hard water, which creates stubborn white scale buildup on faucets, shower heads, and inside pipes. Hard water makes soap work poorly, leaves spots on dishes and glass, and can shorten the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers. Iron in the water causes orange or brown staining on sinks, toilets, and laundry. You may notice a metallic taste or rotten egg odor from sulfate in some wells.
We recommend having your well tested with a comprehensive panel that covers metals, minerals, bacteria, and nitrate. Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your well so you can treat it properly. Your well's water quality may be different from what is common in the county. A comprehensive test typically costs between $200 and $400 and can guide you toward treatment options like water softeners, iron filters, or reverse osmosis systems.
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 | 47% | Moderate | High | |
| Arsenic | 50 | 37% | Moderate | High | |
| Sulfate | 77 | 14% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Nitrate | 15 | 7% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Chloride | 70 | 1% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 4 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 4 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 4 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 4 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Fluoride | 7 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Manganese | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Nitrite | 9 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Lead | 8 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 4 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| pH | 11 | — | — | Low | Low |
| Sodium | 51 | — | — | Moderate | Low |
| Hardness | 16 | — | — | Moderate | Low |
| Total Coliform | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Fecal Coliform | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| E. coli | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| 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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