Groundwater in Todd County contains arsenic, iron, lead, manganese, nitrite, and PFOA and PFHXS chemicals that well owners should know about. Several of these contaminants exceed EPA health standards, making them a genuine concern for your water supply.
These contaminants come from a mix of sources. Iron and manganese occur naturally in the rock and soil underneath the county and dissolve into groundwater as it moves through. Arsenic and lead can come from both natural rock sources and past land activities. Nitrite enters from fertilizer and septic systems. PFOA and PFHXS are human-made chemicals that have contaminated some groundwater from industrial or commercial use.
Groundwater in this county is hard, driven by elevated calcium and magnesium from the rock below, and is also high in iron. The underlying rock naturally releases these minerals as water flows through it. Hard water and elevated iron are found in many wells across Todd County.
Wells in Todd County commonly contain arsenic, iron, lead, manganese, nitrite, and PFOA/PFOS compounds at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Arsenic exposure through drinking water can increase cancer risk and cause skin problems with long-term use. Lead damages the brain and nervous system, especially in children, and can harm kidneys and blood pressure in adults. Manganese affects the brain and nervous system at elevated levels. Nitrite prevents blood from carrying oxygen properly. PFOA and PFOS are industrial chemicals linked to liver damage, immune system problems, and cancer risk.
County well water is hard, which means you likely see white scale buildup on faucets and fixtures, reduced lather from soap, and staining from iron on sinks and laundry. Hard water can shorten the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers. You may notice a metallic taste or reddish discoloration in your water from iron deposits.
We recommend testing your well water with a comprehensive panel to find out exactly what is in your water, since every well is different and yours could have higher or lower levels than what is common in the county. Testing is the only way to know what needs treatment. A comprehensive metals and minerals panel typically costs $200 to $400. Treatment options like activated carbon filters, ion exchange softening, or reverse osmosis can address multiple concerns depending on what your test 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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 7 | 71% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Manganese | 62 | 67% | Moderate | High | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 3 | 67% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Iron | 75 | 60% | Moderate | High | |
| Arsenic | 31 | 43% | Moderate | High | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 5 | 40% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Lead | 28 | 11% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Nitrite | 37 | 3% | Moderate | Low | |
| Fluoride | 4 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Chloride | 36 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 2 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 2 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 71 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Sodium | 51 | — | — | Moderate | Low |
| Hardness | 20 | — | — | Moderate | Low |
| Total Coliform | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Fecal Coliform | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| E. coli | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Nitrate | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| pH | 14 | — | — | Low | Low |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 2 | — | 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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