Groundwater in Stevens County contains arsenic, manganese, and industrial chemicals called PFOS, PFOA, and PFHXS that exceed EPA health standards. Iron, lead, nitrate, and sulfate also reach concerning levels in this county's wells.
The rock beneath Stevens County naturally releases arsenic and manganese into the water as it dissolves slowly over time. Industrial contamination from manufacturing and improper disposal has introduced PFOS and related chemicals into some wells. Nitrate pollution comes from agricultural fertilizer and animal waste that seep down from the land surface above.
Groundwater in Stevens County is very hard, driven by elevated calcium and magnesium, and contains very high iron and high sulfate. The underlying rock dissolves as water moves through it, adding these minerals to the water supply. These mineral-rich characteristics are common across wells throughout the county.
Wells in Stevens County exceed EPA health standards for arsenic, lead, manganese, nitrate, iron, and PFOA and PFOS chemicals. Arsenic and lead are toxic metals that build up in your body over time and can damage organs and bones. Lead is especially harmful to children's brain development. Manganese at high levels affects the nervous system. Nitrate is dangerous for infants and can cause serious illness. PFOA and PFOS are industrial chemicals linked to health problems including cancer and immune system damage.
The water in this county is extremely hard with very high iron. This combination causes rust-colored staining on laundry, dishes, and fixtures that is difficult to remove. Scale builds up inside pipes, water heaters, and appliances, which can shorten the lifespan of your dishwasher and water heater by years. You may notice a metallic or bitter taste in the water and soap does not lather well.
Every well in Stevens County is different, and your well could have higher or lower levels than what is common here. Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your well so you can treat it properly. We recommend a comprehensive metals and minerals panel, which typically costs $200-400 and tests for all the contaminants of concern. Treatment options like reverse osmosis systems or iron filters can address these problems.
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 | 46 | 85% | Moderate | High | |
| Arsenic | 17 | 76% | Moderate | High | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 10 | 70% | Low | High | |
| Iron | 47 | 68% | Moderate | High | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 21 | 52% | Moderate | High | |
| Sulfate | 51 | 39% | Moderate | High | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 9 | 11% | Low | Moderate ⓘ | |
| Lead | 33 | 6% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Nitrate | 47 | 2% | Moderate | Low | |
| Chloride | 60 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Fluoride | 26 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 2 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Uranium | 11 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| Nitrite | 19 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 5 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 16 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 8 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| pH | 21 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Sodium | 46 | — | 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.
Loading recent water news…