Groundwater in Lac qui Parle County contains arsenic, chloride, fluoride, iron, lead, manganese, nitrate, and sulfate. Multiple contaminants exceed EPA health standards, and levels of iron, sulfate, and sodium are very high.
The rock beneath this county naturally releases iron, manganese, and sulfate into the water as it flows through. Arsenic and lead also come from the bedrock. Nitrate enters from agricultural land and septic systems. Chloride and fluoride come partly from the rock and partly from human activity and road salt.
Groundwater in this county is very hard, driven by high levels of calcium and magnesium from the rock, combined with very high iron and sulfate. The bedrock geology here contains minerals that dissolve easily into water passing through, concentrating these elements. These mineral-rich characteristics are widespread across wells in the county.
Arsenic, chloride, fluoride, lead, and nitrate are found at health-threatening levels in county wells. Arsenic builds up in your body over time and raises cancer risk. Lead harms children's developing brains and affects adults' kidneys and blood pressure. Nitrate is dangerous for babies and can reduce oxygen in the bloodstream. Fluoride at elevated levels can damage tooth enamel and bones. Chloride at high levels affects people with certain health conditions.
County wells also contain very high iron, sulfate, and sodium alongside extremely hard water. Iron causes rust-colored stains on laundry, fixtures, and skin. Sulfate gives water a bitter taste and can cause digestive issues. The extreme hardness shortens the lifespan of water heaters, dishwashers, and other appliances. You may notice stiff laundry, spotty dishes, and scaling inside pipes.
Since every well is different, your water could have higher or lower levels than what is common here. Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your well so you can treat it properly. We recommend a comprehensive metals and minerals panel, which typically costs $200 to $400. Water softeners, reverse osmosis systems, or other targeted treatments can address your specific contaminants once you know what you're dealing with.
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 | 119 | 81% | High | High | |
| Iron | 129 | 80% | High | High | |
| Sulfate | 129 | 77% | High | High | |
| Arsenic | 97 | 16% | Moderate | High | |
| Chloride | 129 | 8% | High | Moderate | |
| Nitrate | 32 | 3% | Moderate |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Lead | 97 | 2% | Moderate | Low | |
| Fluoride | 129 | 1% | High | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 2 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Nitrite | 19 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 2 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 2 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 2 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 2 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| pH | 9 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 129 | — | High | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 2 | — | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 6 | — | 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.
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