Groundwater in McLeod County contains iron, manganese, and arsenic at levels that exceed EPA health standards. These contaminants are present at concerning levels--iron and manganese are very high, and arsenic, uranium, and sulfate all exceed safe drinking water limits.
The rock layers beneath McLeod County naturally release these metals into groundwater. Iron and manganese dissolve from the bedrock as water moves through it. Arsenic and uranium also occur naturally in these rocks and enter the water through the same slow dissolution process.
Groundwater in this county is very hard, driven primarily by elevated iron and calcium. The mineral-rich rock composition in this area releases these elements into the water as it percolates underground. These characteristics are widespread across wells throughout the county.
Wells in McLeod County commonly contain arsenic, uranium, iron, and manganese at levels above EPA health standards. Arsenic and uranium can increase your cancer risk with long-term exposure. Manganese at elevated levels can affect brain development in children and damage the nervous system in adults. Iron and manganese themselves pose health concerns beyond their appearance in water.
The very hard water in this county creates significant quality-of-life issues. You will see reddish-brown staining on fixtures, laundry, and dishes from iron buildup. Hard water reduces how well soap works and leaves scale inside pipes and appliances. This extreme hardness shortens the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers, costing you money on repairs and replacements.
Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your well, since every well is different and yours may have higher or lower levels than what is common in the county. A comprehensive metals and minerals panel costs between $200 and $400 and will tell you exactly what you are dealing with. Water softeners can address hardness, while specialized filters can remove iron, manganese, and arsenic from your water.
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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iron | 89 | 94% | Moderate | High | |
| Manganese | 86 | 70% | Moderate | High | |
| Arsenic | 82 | 54% | Moderate | High | |
| Uranium | 79 | 1% | Moderate | Low | |
| Sulfate | 88 | 1% | Moderate | Low | |
| Chloride | 89 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 6 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Fluoride | 88 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 6 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Lead | 82 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrate | 84 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrite | 79 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 6 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 6 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 6 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 88 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 6 | — | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 6 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| pH | 7 | — | 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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