Groundwater in Kittson County contains PFOA, PFOS, iron, manganese, lead, arsenic, chloride, and nitrate at levels that exceed EPA health standards. These contaminant concentrations are high enough to require your attention and testing.
The Lower Cretaceous rock beneath this county naturally releases iron and manganese as water passes through it over time. PFOA and PFOS come from human activities--industrial processes, firefighting foam, and other products that have contaminated groundwater in this region. Nitrate and chloride enter from agricultural practices and road salt, while arsenic and lead dissolve from the rock itself or accumulate from past land uses.
Your county's groundwater is very hard, driven by elevated calcium and magnesium from the rock layers below, plus high iron concentrations that add to the mineral load. The Lower Cretaceous aquifer naturally produces these conditions as water dissolves minerals from the stone. These characteristics are widespread across wells in Kittson County, making them a common feature of water from this area.
Wells in Kittson County contain multiple contaminants that exceed EPA health standards. Manganese, iron, lead, and arsenic can damage your organs and nervous system with long-term exposure. Nitrate affects how your blood carries oxygen. PFOA and PFOS are industrial chemicals that build up in your body over time and have been linked to serious health problems. Chloride at elevated levels adds sodium to your water.
The very hard water in this county causes visible problems in your home. Iron leaves rust-colored stains on fixtures, laundry, and surfaces. Hard water creates scale buildup on pipes and reduces water pressure. Your appliances like water heaters and dishwashers wear out faster. You may notice a metallic taste or unpleasant odor from the water.
Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your well since every well is different. Your well could have higher or lower levels than what is common in the county. We recommend a comprehensive metals and chemicals panel, which typically costs between $200 and $400. Treatment options like water softeners, carbon filters, and reverse osmosis systems can address different contaminants depending on what testing reveals.
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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PFOS | 1 | 100% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| PFOA | 1 | 100% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Iron | 45 | 71% | Moderate | High | |
| Lead | 3 | 67% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Manganese | 12 | 67% | Low | High | |
| Arsenic | 5 | 40% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Chloride | 50 | 38% | Moderate | High | |
| Sulfate | 49 | 20% | Moderate | High | |
| Nitrate | 45 | 11% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Fluoride | 42 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrite | 2 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Radon | 2 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Uranium | 2 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 49 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Sodium | 50 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| pH | 42 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS | 1 | — | 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.
* 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.
Loading recent water news…