Groundwater in Mower County contains iron, manganese, and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, along with arsenic, lead, radon, and related fluorinated compounds. Multiple contaminants exceed EPA health standards, making water testing and potential treatment important for well owners.
The limestone bedrock beneath this county naturally releases iron and manganese as acidic groundwater dissolves the rock over time. Arsenic and lead come from both the bedrock and older well construction materials. The fluorinated compounds in some wells point to industrial or commercial land use in the area, though their exact sources vary by location.
Mower County groundwater is very hard, driven by elevated calcium and magnesium from the limestone aquifer below, plus very high iron concentrations. Water moving through limestone dissolves these minerals and carries them into wells. These characteristics are widespread across the county, affecting most private wells.
Wells in Mower County contain arsenic, lead, radon, and PFOA and PFOS compounds at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Arsenic and lead are toxic metals that can damage your kidneys, liver, and nervous system with long-term exposure. Lead is especially harmful to children's brain development. Radon is a radioactive gas that increases lung cancer risk. PFOA and PFOS are industrial chemicals that build up in your body over time and can affect your immune system and thyroid.
The water in county wells is extremely hard, which causes real problems around your home. You will see stubborn scale buildup inside pipes and on fixtures. Orange or brown stains appear on sinks, toilets, and laundry from the high iron content. Soap won't lather well, and you will need more detergent to clean. This extreme hardness also wears out water heaters and dishwashers faster than normal.
We recommend a comprehensive metals and minerals panel to test your well, since multiple serious contaminants are common here. Every well is different, and your water may have higher or lower levels than what we see across the county. Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your well so you can treat it properly. A comprehensive panel costs between $200 and $400. Water softeners, iron filters, and activated carbon systems can address these concerns depending on your results.
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 | 200 | 70% | High | High | |
| Manganese | 187 | 54% | High | High | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 37 | 30% | Moderate | High | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 41 | 20% | Moderate | High | |
| Radon | 8 | 12% | Low | Moderate ⓘ | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 16 | 12% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Arsenic | 82 | 7% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Lead | 93 | 2% | Moderate | Low | |
| Chloride | 200 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Fluoride | 126 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Nitrate | 123 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Nitrite | 99 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Sulfate | 194 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Uranium | 6 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 24 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 23 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Sodium | 195 | — | High | Low | |
| pH | 34 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 16 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Hardness | 31 | — | 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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