Radon, iron, manganese, and several other contaminants are present in Nicollet County groundwater that well owners should know about. Multiple contaminants exceed EPA health standards, and iron levels are very high.
These contaminants come from the rock beneath the county. The other rock types here naturally contain radioactive elements that release radon, metals like iron and manganese that dissolve into water, and arsenic that leaches from minerals in the stone. Agricultural and land-use activities can also add nitrate and chloride to the water moving through these rocks.
Water in this county is very hard, with very high iron, moderate sulfate, and moderate sodium that drive its mineral character. These metals and minerals dissolve easily as water moves through the local rock layers over time. Most wells in this county show similar elevated levels of these minerals and metals.
Wells in Nicollet County commonly exceed EPA health standards for several contaminants. Lead damages children's brain development and harms the kidneys and nervous system in adults. Arsenic and uranium increase cancer risk. PFOA and PFOS are industrial chemicals that build up in your body over time and can weaken your immune system. Nitrate is especially dangerous for infants and can cause serious illness. Radon is a radioactive gas that increases lung cancer risk when breathed in over many years.
County wells have very hard water with high iron and moderate sodium and sulfate levels. This causes orange or rust-colored staining on fixtures, laundry, and skin. Hard scale builds up inside pipes, water heaters, and dishwashers, shortening their lifespan. You may notice a rotten egg smell from sulfate. Soap works poorly, and you need more detergent to get things clean.
We recommend getting your well tested with a comprehensive metals and minerals panel, which typically costs $200-400. Every well is different, and your well may 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. Depending on results, treatment options include water softeners, iron filters, and reverse osmosis systems.
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 ⓘ | |
| Iron | 136 | 86% | High | High | |
| Manganese | 33 | 73% | Moderate | High | |
| Sulfate | 150 | 34% | High | High | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 7 | 29% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 7 | 29% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Arsenic | 116 | 25% | High | High | |
| Lead | 116 | 3% | High |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Nitrate | 137 | 1% | High | Low | |
| Uranium | 89 | 1% | Moderate | Low | |
| Chloride | 150 | 1% | High | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 5 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 5 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 5 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Fluoride | 150 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Nitrite | 109 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Sodium | 149 | — | High | Low | |
| pH | 23 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 5 | — | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 12 | — | Low | Low | |
| E. coli | 1* | 0% | 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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