Groundwater in Ramsey County contains manganese, PFOS, PFHXS, and other contaminants including chloride, iron, and sulfate at levels that exceed EPA health standards. These are moderate to high concerns that well owners should test for and address.
Manganese and iron come from the local rock itself--these metals naturally dissolve into groundwater as water moves through soil and stone. PFOS and PFHXS are human-made chemicals that enter groundwater from industrial sites, airports, firefighting training areas, and contaminated surface water that seeps down. Chloride and sulfate also build up from road salt, de-icing, and natural mineral layers in the ground.
Groundwater in this county is moderately hard, driven by moderate levels of iron and sodium along with natural hardness minerals. Iron concentrates here because it dissolves easily from the rock as acidic groundwater moves slowly underground. These mineral characteristics are widespread across wells in Ramsey County and reflect the geology and urban land use of the area.
Wells in Ramsey County commonly have chloride, iron, manganese, and PFAS chemicals (PFHXS, PFOA, and PFOS) at levels above EPA health standards. Chloride at high levels can be a concern for people with high blood pressure or heart disease. Iron and manganese can damage organs over time and affect children's development. PFAS chemicals build up in your body and have been linked to health problems including kidney and liver damage, immune system issues, and certain cancers.
The minerals in county wells can stain your clothes and plumbing fixtures with orange or brown marks from iron. You may notice a metallic taste in your water or see buildup on faucets and shower heads. The water hardness here is moderate, which means some households experience scale in pipes and water heaters that can shorten their lifespan.
We recommend testing your well for a comprehensive metals, minerals, and PFAS panel since multiple contaminants are common in this county. Every well is different--yours could have much higher or much lower levels than what we see across the county. Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your water so you can treat it properly. A comprehensive panel typically costs $200-400. Treatment options like carbon filters, ion exchange softeners, and specialized PFAS filters can address different contaminants depending on what testing shows.
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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manganese | 13 | 67% | Low | High | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 423 | 67% | High | High | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 580 | 62% | High | High | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 949 | 62% | High | High | |
| Iron | 106 | 50% | High | High | |
| Chloride | 113 | 25% | High | High | |
| Sulfate | 79 | 3% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrate | 90 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Arsenic | 2 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Fluoride | 12 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 205 | 0% | High | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 81 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Sodium | 84 | — | — | Moderate | Low |
| pH | 39 | — | — | Moderate | Low |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 345 | — | High | Low | |
| E. coli | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 46 | — | — | Moderate | Low |
| Total Coliform | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Fecal Coliform | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Nitrite | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Lead | 1 | 0% | 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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