Groundwater in Meeker County contains manganese, arsenic, chloride, sulfate, nitrite, lead, and PFOA and PFOS chemicals. Several of these contaminants exceed EPA health standards and deserve your attention.
These contaminants come from different sources across the county. Manganese and arsenic occur naturally in the rock and soil below. Nitrite and chloride enter groundwater from agricultural activities and road salt. Lead can leach from old pipes and plumbing in homes. PFOA and PFOS are industrial chemicals that have contaminated some areas through past manufacturing or disposal practices.
Groundwater in this county is very hard, driven by elevated calcium and magnesium from the rock layers below. The bedrock geology here naturally releases these minerals as water moves through, making hard water common across many wells in the county.
Wells in Meeker County have been found to exceed EPA health standards for chloride, sulfate, manganese, arsenic, nitrite, lead, PFOS, and PFOA. Arsenic and lead are toxic metals that can build up in your body over time and cause serious health problems including cancer, heart disease, and damage to your nervous system and kidneys. Manganese at high levels harms your brain and nervous system. Nitrite prevents your blood from carrying oxygen properly. PFOS and PFOA are chemicals that can weaken your immune system and affect your liver and thyroid.
Wells in this county have very hard water, which means you will see white scale buildup on faucets, showerheads, and inside pipes and appliances. Hard water reduces how well soap works for cleaning and leaves spots on dishes and glass. It shortens the lifespan of water heaters, dishwashers, and washing machines. You may notice your skin feels dry or your hair feels sticky after showering.
We recommend getting your well water tested with a comprehensive panel that covers all the contaminants of concern in your county. Every well is different and yours could have higher or lower levels than what is common here. Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your water so you can treat it properly. Comprehensive testing costs between $200 and $400, and treatment options range from simple filters to whole-house systems depending on what you find.
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 | 23 | 82% | Moderate | High | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 5 | 60% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Arsenic | 49 | 35% | Moderate | High | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 6 | 33% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Nitrite | 51 | 22% | Moderate | High | |
| Lead | 29 | 11% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Sulfate | 73 | 7% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Chloride | 85 | 4% | Moderate |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 2 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 2 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 2 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 4 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| pH | 24 | — | — | Moderate | Low |
| Nitrate | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 51 | — | — | Moderate | Low |
| Fluoride | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Iron | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Uranium | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 30 | — | — | Moderate | Low |
| Fecal Coliform | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Total Coliform | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| 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.
Loading recent water news…