Groundwater in Le Sueur County contains PFOA, PFOS, PFHXS, arsenic, nitrate, iron, and manganese. Several of these contaminants exceed EPA health standards at concerning levels.
Iron and manganese dissolve naturally from the local rock layers as water moves through the ground. Arsenic also occurs naturally in the bedrock here. PFOA, PFOS, and PFHXS are human-made chemicals that have entered groundwater, likely from industrial use or disposal sites in the area, and nitrate seeps down from agricultural fertilizer and septic systems above.
Water in this county is very hard, with elevated calcium and magnesium coming from the rock below, and it is also very high in iron and moderately elevated in sodium. The rock layers beneath Le Sueur County release these minerals as acidic groundwater slowly dissolves them over time. Hard water with very high iron is common across wells throughout the county.
Wells in Le Sueur County commonly contain several contaminants that exceed EPA health standards. PFOA, PFOS, and PFHXS are human-made chemicals that can build up in your body over time and raise the risk of certain health problems. Arsenic is a poison that can damage organs and increase cancer risk with long-term exposure. Nitrate is especially dangerous for infants and can interfere with how the body carries oxygen. Manganese at elevated levels can affect brain development and nervous system function.
County well water is extremely hard and contains very high iron. The hardness causes white scale buildup inside pipes, water heaters, and appliances, which can shorten their lifespan significantly. High iron creates orange or rust-colored staining on laundry, sinks, and bathtubs. The water may taste metallic or unpleasant, and you may use more soap and detergent than normal.
We recommend testing your well right away since multiple contaminants exceed health standards in this county. Every well is different, and your water could have higher or lower levels than what is common here. A comprehensive metals and minerals panel costs between $200 and $400 and is the only way to know what is actually in your water so you can treat it properly. Iron filters, water softeners, and reverse osmosis systems are available treatment options depending on what testing shows.
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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 21 | 62% | Moderate | High | |
| Iron | 35 | 57% | Moderate | High | |
| Manganese | 34 | 47% | Moderate | High | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 18 | 39% | Moderate | High | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 15 | 27% | Moderate | High | |
| Nitrate | 39 | 21% | Moderate | High | |
| Arsenic | 26 | 15% | Moderate | High | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Chloride | 38 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Fluoride | 37 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Lead | 26 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrite | 19 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Sulfate | 37 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Uranium | 12 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| Sodium | 34 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 17 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| pH | 33 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Hardness | 19 | — | Moderate | 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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