Groundwater in Pipestone County contains arsenic, iron, lead, manganese, nitrate, pfoa, pfos, and sulfate at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Several of these contaminants reach concerning concentrations that warrant attention from well owners in this area.
The rock and soil beneath Pipestone County naturally release iron and manganese as water passes through. Arsenic occurs naturally in the bedrock here as well. Nitrate, pfoa, and pfos come from human activities--fertilizer use on farmland, industrial sources, and other land-use practices that allow these chemicals to seep downward into the water below. Lead can enter from old pipes and plumbing in homes and wells.
Groundwater in this county is very hard, driven by elevated calcium and magnesium from the rock formations below. The bedrock here dissolves slowly as water moves through it, allowing these minerals to accumulate. Iron at moderate levels and sulfate at moderate levels also contribute to the water's character. These hard-water conditions and mineral concentrations are widespread across wells throughout the county.
Wells in Pipestone County commonly exceed EPA health standards for arsenic, lead, nitrate, and PFOA and PFOS. Arsenic and lead can damage your kidneys and organs over time. Lead is especially harmful to children's brains and development. Nitrate is dangerous for infants and can cause serious illness. PFOA and PFOS are chemicals that build up in your body and have been linked to health problems.
The county's water is very hard, which creates stubborn orange and brown staining on sinks, toilets, and laundry. The extreme hardness can shorten the life of water heaters and dishwashers. Your skin and hair may feel sticky after bathing, and soap won't lather well. Some wells also have moderate sulfate levels that can affect taste.
We recommend a comprehensive water test to find out what is actually in your well, since every well is different and yours could have higher or lower levels than the county average. Testing is the only way to know what needs treatment. A full metals and minerals panel costs between $200 and $400. Treatment options like reverse osmosis, ion exchange softeners, and activated carbon filters can address multiple contaminants at once.
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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 4 | 50% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Manganese | 26 | 38% | Moderate | High | |
| Iron | 24 | 38% | Moderate | High | |
| Sulfate | 30 | 30% | Moderate | High | |
| Arsenic | 10 | 10% | Low | Moderate | |
| Lead | 10 | 10% | Low | Moderate | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 11 | 9% | Low | Moderate | |
| Nitrate | 15 | 7% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 10 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| Chloride | 49 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Fluoride | 18 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 2 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Nitrite | 2 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 2 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 14 | — | Low | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 3 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| pH | 15 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Sodium | 19 | — | 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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