Manganese, iron, nitrate, arsenic, and lead are present in Morrison County groundwater. Several of these contaminants exceed EPA health standards and deserve attention from well owners.
The underlying rock in this area naturally releases manganese, iron, and arsenic into groundwater as water moves through it. Nitrate comes from fertilizers and septic systems on the land above. These sources--both natural minerals in the rock and human activity--combine to create the contamination pattern seen across the county.
Groundwater in Morrison County is hard, driven by elevated calcium and magnesium that dissolve from the rock. Iron levels are moderate. The combination of hard water and moderate iron reflects the composition of the local rock and how groundwater chemistry develops as water sits underground. These mineral characteristics are common across wells throughout the county.
Wells in Morrison County commonly contain arsenic, lead, and nitrate at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Arsenic and lead are toxic metals that can harm your health with long-term exposure. Manganese in county wells can affect your brain and nervous system over time. Nitrate is a concern for infants and pregnant women, as it interferes with how blood carries oxygen.
The hard water in Morrison County wells can create visible problems around your home. You may notice rust-colored stains on sinks, tubs, and laundry from iron in the water. Scale buildup inside pipes and appliances like water heaters and dishwashers can shorten how long they last. Hard water also makes soap less effective for cleaning.
We recommend having your well tested to find out what is actually in your water. Every well is different, and yours could have higher or lower levels than what is common across the county. Testing is the only way to know for certain and plan the right treatment. A comprehensive metals and minerals panel typically costs two to four hundred dollars and will check for all these concerns. Depending on your results, treatment options like reverse osmosis systems or water softeners can address multiple issues.
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 | 230 | 56% | High | High | |
| Iron | 348 | 27% | High | High | |
| Nitrate | 53 | 8% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Arsenic | 156 | 4% | High |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Lead | 157 | 1% | High | Low | |
| Radon | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Nitrite | 10 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 2 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Chloride | 379 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Fluoride | 220 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Sulfate | 251 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Uranium | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 9 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 11 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 11 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 11 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| Sodium | 242 | — | High | Low | |
| Hardness | 70 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| pH | 179 | — | High | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 2 | — | 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.
* 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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