Groundwater in Wabasha County contains iron, lead, arsenic, nitrate, chloride, and PFOS. Several of these contaminants exceed EPA health standards and deserve your attention.
These contaminants come from two sources. Iron, arsenic, and lead are released naturally as groundwater moves slowly through the deep rock layers beneath the county. Nitrate, chloride, and PFOS enter from the surface through land use--septic systems, fertilizers, road salt, and industrial or firefighting activities.
Groundwater in Wabasha County is hard, driven by calcium and magnesium that dissolve from the rock as water moves through it. The rock layers here naturally release these minerals along with iron. Hard water is widespread across wells in this county.
Wabasha County wells show arsenic, lead, nitrate, chloride, and PFOS at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Arsenic in drinking water increases the risk of cancer and can damage organs with long-term exposure. Lead is especially harmful to children and can affect brain development, learning, and behavior. Nitrate is dangerous for infants and can interfere with oxygen in the blood. Chloride and PFOS also pose health concerns with repeated exposure over time.
Wells in this county have hard water, which leaves white scale buildup on pipes, fixtures, and inside appliances. This scale can shorten the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers. You may notice spots on dishes, reduced water pressure from mineral deposits, or stiff laundry. The moderate iron levels can stain clothes orange or brown and leave a metallic taste in your water.
Every well in Wabasha County is different, and your well may have higher or lower levels than what is common here. Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your water 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. Iron removal systems and arsenic treatment filters are available options 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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iron | 76 | 40% | Moderate | High | |
| Lead | 18 | 29% | Moderate | High | |
| Arsenic | 22 | 14% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 13 | 8% | Low | Moderate | |
| Nitrate | 68 | 3% | Moderate |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Chloride | 83 | 2% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrite | 8 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Uranium | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Fluoride | 5 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 49 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 45 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 13 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 45 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Fecal Coliform | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| E. coli | 2 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 19 | — | — | Moderate | Low |
| Manganese | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 51 | — | — | Moderate | Low |
| pH | 11 | — | — | Low | Low |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 8 | — | 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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