Groundwater in Kittson County contains arsenic, chloride, iron, lead, manganese, nitrate, and sulfate at levels that exceed EPA health standards. These contamination levels are serious enough that well owners should test their water and take action to address them.
The Lower Cretaceous rock layers beneath this county naturally contain these elements, and groundwater dissolves them as it moves through the stone. Nitrate and chloride can also come from farm fertilizers and road salt that seep down into the groundwater over time. The combination of the rock chemistry and human land use creates the contamination you find in this county's wells.
Groundwater in this county is very hard, driven by high levels of calcium and magnesium dissolved from the surrounding rock, and it also carries elevated iron. These minerals concentrate in the water because they are abundant in the Lower Cretaceous rock layers and dissolve easily as groundwater flows through them. Most wells in Kittson County show these hard-water and high-iron characteristics.
Wells in Kittson County show arsenic, chloride, iron, lead, manganese, nitrate, and sulfate at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Arsenic and lead are serious concerns because they can cause cancer and harm the brain and kidneys, especially in children. Nitrate is dangerous for babies and can cause breathing problems. Manganese can affect the brain and nervous system, particularly in young children.
County well water is very hard, which creates real problems in your home. Hard water leaves scale buildup inside pipes and appliances, shortening the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers. Iron stains fixtures, laundry, and dishes orange or brown. You may notice a metallic taste or smell in your water from the iron and sulfate.
Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your well. Since multiple contaminants exceed health standards in this county, we recommend a comprehensive metals and minerals panel, which typically costs $200 to $400. Every well is different, and your water could have much higher or lower levels than what is common here. Treatment options like reverse osmosis or whole-house filtration can address multiple concerns at once.
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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lead | 3 | 100% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Manganese | 18 | 71% | Moderate | High | |
| Iron | 89 | 62% | Moderate | High | |
| Chloride | 93 | 22% | Moderate | High | |
| Arsenic | 6 | 20% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 73 | 15% | Moderate | High | |
| Nitrate | 47 | 2% | Moderate | Low | |
| Fluoride | 23 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) | 24 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFNA | 24 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFOA | 24 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFOS | 24 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Radon | 4 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Nitrite | 19 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS | 1 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 62 | — | — | Moderate | Low |
| pH | 8 | — | — | Low | Low ⓘ |
| Fecal Coliform | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Uranium | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Total Coliform | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 23 | — | — | Moderate | Low |
| E. coli | 1 | 0% | 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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