Norman County groundwater contains iron, arsenic, manganese, lead, nitrate, chloride, and sulfate. Several of these contaminants exceed EPA health standards and warrant attention from well owners.
These contaminants come from two sources. The rock layers beneath the county naturally release iron, manganese, and arsenic as groundwater slowly moves through them. Nitrate, chloride, and sulfate enter from agricultural activity and land use above, seeping downward into the water supply.
Groundwater in this county is very hard, driven by elevated calcium and magnesium dissolved from the rock below, along with high levels of iron and sodium. The Lower Cretaceous rock formations here contain minerals that dissolve readily into water as it passes through. These characteristics are common across wells throughout Norman County.
Groundwater in Norman County contains several contaminants at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Arsenic, lead, and nitrate are present and can damage your body over time with repeated exposure. Arsenic harms your kidneys and nervous system. Lead hurts brain development in children and damages kidneys in adults. Nitrate is especially risky for infants and can interfere with oxygen in the blood.
The water in Norman County is extremely hard, which creates real problems in your home. You will see rust-colored stains on sinks, toilets, and laundry from iron and manganese. Scale builds up inside water heaters, dishwashers, and pipes, shortening their lifespan and reducing water flow. You may notice a metallic or sulfurous taste and odor in your water. Soap won't lather well, and your skin and hair may feel sticky after washing.
We recommend a comprehensive metals and minerals panel to find out exactly what is in your well, since every well is different and your water may have higher or lower levels than the county average. Testing is the only way to know what you are dealing with so it can be treated correctly. A comprehensive panel costs between $200 and $400. Treatment options like arsenic removal systems, ion exchange softeners, and manganese filters can address these problems once you know 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 | 28 | 54% | Moderate | High | |
| Arsenic | 5 | 40% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Manganese | 28 | 36% | Moderate | High | |
| Lead | 5 | 20% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Nitrate | 15 | 13% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Chloride | 28 | 7% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Sulfate | 28 | 7% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Radon | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Uranium | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Fluoride | 28 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrite | 3 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 28 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| pH | 15 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Hardness | 15 | — | 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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