Groundwater in Nicollet County contains radon, manganese, iron, arsenic, chloride, lead, nitrate, sulfate, and uranium. Several of these contaminants exceed EPA health standards, so well owners should test their water and know what is present in their specific wells.
These contaminants come from the rock and soil layers beneath the county. Iron and manganese occur naturally in the rock here and dissolve into groundwater as it moves through. Radon, arsenic, and uranium are radioactive elements found in the underlying rock. Nitrate, chloride, and sulfate come from both natural sources and human activity like farming and road salt use in this agricultural area.
Groundwater in Nicollet County is very hard, with high iron, moderate sodium, and moderate sulfate driving its mineral character. The hard water comes from calcium and magnesium dissolved from the rock as water moves underground, while iron and sulfate are released from the same geological materials. These mineral-rich conditions are common across many wells throughout the county.
Wells in Nicollet County show several contaminants above EPA health standards including arsenic, lead, uranium, and radon. Arsenic and uranium can increase cancer risk over time. Lead harms children's brain development and learning. Radon is a radioactive gas that increases lung cancer risk. Nitrate contamination can be especially dangerous for infants and pregnant women.
County well water is very hard, which causes white scale buildup on faucets and inside pipes and appliances. The high iron content stains laundry and fixtures orange-brown and can affect water taste and smell. The combination of these minerals shortens the lifespan of water heaters, dishwashers, and other appliances. You may notice reduced water pressure as scale accumulates in pipes over time.
We recommend testing your well with a comprehensive metals and minerals panel, which runs $200 to $400. Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your well so you can treat it properly. Every well is different--yours could have higher or lower levels than what is common in the county. Water softeners and filters designed for arsenic, uranium, or radon removal can address your specific contaminants once you know what you're dealing with.
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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Radon | 1 | 100% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Manganese | 13 | 75% | Low | High | |
| Iron | 61 | 66% | Moderate | High | |
| Arsenic | 52 | 29% | Moderate | High | |
| Sulfate | 58 | 22% | Moderate | High | |
| Lead | 66 | 8% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Nitrate | 55 | 6% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Uranium | 42 | 2% | Moderate | Low | |
| Chloride | 71 | 1% | Moderate | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 5 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 5 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 5 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 5 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 5 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Fluoride | 29 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrite | 17 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Sodium | 54 | — | — | Moderate | Low |
| pH | 15 | — | — | Moderate | Low |
| Hardness | 16 | — | — | Moderate | Low |
| E. coli | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Fecal Coliform | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Total Coliform | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 5 | — | 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.
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