Well Water in Koochiching County: What to Test and Why

Groundwater in Koochiching County contains arsenic, iron, and sulfate at levels that exceed EPA health standards. These contaminants are present at concentrations the EPA considers concerning enough to require action.

The rock underneath this county naturally contains these elements. As water moves through the ground, it dissolves arsenic, iron, and sulfate from the rock and soil. This is a common pattern in northern Minnesota where the bedrock has these minerals built in.

Groundwater in this county is soft, but it is high in iron. Iron comes from the rock layers below and builds up in the water as it sits underground. Many wells across the county show elevated iron, making this a widespread characteristic of the water here.

Wells in Koochiching County sometimes contain arsenic, iron, and sulfate at levels above EPA health standards. Arsenic is a poison that builds up in your body over time and can cause serious health problems including cancer, heart disease, and nerve damage. Iron and sulfate do not pose direct health risks at the levels found here, but they create other concerns worth addressing.

The high iron in county wells causes orange or brown staining on sinks, toilets, and laundry. You may notice a metallic taste in your water or see rust-colored deposits in pipes. Since the water is soft, you will not have scale buildup or shortened appliance life from hardness, but iron can still clog filters and damage plumbing over time.

We recommend testing your well to find out what is actually in your water, since every well is different and yours could have higher or lower levels than the county average. Testing is the only way to know if you need treatment. A comprehensive metals and minerals panel typically costs two hundred to four hundred dollars and will tell you exactly what you are dealing with. Iron removal and arsenic filtration systems are both available treatment options.