Well owners in Rice County need to know that their groundwater contains iron, manganese, and arsenic at levels that exceed EPA health standards, along with chloride, lead, PFOA, and PFOS. These contaminant levels are concerning and warrant your attention.
The bedrock and underground rock layers beneath Rice County naturally contain iron and manganese, which dissolve into groundwater as water moves through the earth. Arsenic also occurs naturally in the local rock. Chloride and PFOA and PFOS can enter groundwater from road salt, industrial use, and other human activities on the land above.
Groundwater in this county is very hard, driven by elevated calcium and magnesium that come from the rock layers below. These minerals accumulate as water slowly dissolves the bedrock over time. Very hard water is widespread across Rice County wells.
Wells in Rice County exceed EPA health standards for arsenic, lead, chloride, sulfate, and PFOA and PFOS chemicals. Arsenic damages organs and increases cancer risk. Lead harms brain development in children and damages the nervous system in adults. Chloride and sulfate at high levels can cause health problems with long-term exposure. PFOA and PFOS are industrial chemicals that build up in your body over time.
The county's water is extremely hard, which causes scale buildup inside pipes and shortens the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers. Iron levels are very high, leaving rust stains on laundry, sinks, and bathtubs. You may notice a metallic taste or smell in the water. Soap and shampoo work poorly in this hard water.
Your well's water quality is unique and may differ from the county pattern. Testing is the only way to know what contaminants and minerals are actually in your water so you can treat them properly. We recommend a comprehensive metals and minerals panel, which costs between $200 and $400. Treatment options include water softening systems and activated carbon filters, depending on your test 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 | 139 | 75% | High | High | |
| Manganese | 139 | 70% | High | High | |
| Arsenic | 109 | 31% | High | High | |
| Lead | 110 | 22% | High | High | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 24 | 21% | Moderate | High | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 20 | 10% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Sulfate | 141 | 1% | High | Low | |
| Chloride | 150 | 1% | High | Low | |
| Fluoride | 124 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Nitrate | 100 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Nitrite | 74 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 14 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| Radon | 5 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Uranium | 9 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 17 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 16 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| E. coli | 2* | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 21 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 13 | — | Low | Safe | |
| pH | 20 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Sodium | 139 | — | High | Low | |
| Total Coliform | 2* | 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.
Loading recent water news…