Groundwater in Wabasha County contains iron, manganese, arsenic, lead, nitrate, chloride, and PFOS--a mix of contaminants from both natural sources and human activity. Several of these contaminants exceed EPA health standards, making them a concern for well owners in this area.
The deep rocks beneath Wabasha County naturally contain iron, manganese, and arsenic that dissolve into groundwater as water moves slowly through them. Nitrate and chloride come from fertilizers, septic systems, and road salt on the land surface above. PFOS and related chemicals are synthetic compounds that have entered some wells through industrial or other human sources.
Groundwater in this county is very hard, driven by elevated calcium and magnesium from the rock layers below, combined with moderate iron that adds to the mineral load. As water sits in contact with these deep rock formations, calcium and magnesium dissolve naturally into the water. Very hard water with moderate iron is widespread across wells throughout the county.
Wells in Wabasha County commonly exceed EPA health standards for arsenic, lead, nitrate, and PFOA and PFOS chemicals. Arsenic can cause cancer and organ damage with long-term exposure. Lead harms brain development in children and can damage kidneys and the nervous system in adults. Nitrate is especially dangerous for infants and can interfere with oxygen in the blood. PFOA and PFOS are human-made chemicals linked to serious health problems including cancer and immune system damage.
The county has very hard water, which means mineral buildup on pipes, fixtures, and inside appliances like water heaters and dishwashers. This scale shortens the lifespan of these appliances. You may notice reddish or brownish staining from iron on laundry, sinks, and toilets. The water can taste metallic, and soap becomes less effective for cleaning.
Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your well, since every well is different and your water could have higher or lower levels than what is common in the county. We recommend a comprehensive metals and minerals panel, which typically costs two hundred to four hundred dollars. Treatment options like reverse osmosis systems and specialized filters for arsenic and PFOA removal can address multiple contaminants at once.
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 | 171 | 34% | High | High | |
| Manganese | 157 | 29% | High | High | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 10 | 20% | Low | High | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 9 | 11% | Low | Moderate ⓘ | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 11 | 9% | Low | Moderate | |
| Lead | 58 | 5% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Arsenic | 51 | 4% | Moderate |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Nitrate | 132 | 2% | High | Low | |
| Chloride | 192 | 2% | High | Low | |
| Fluoride | 123 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Nitrite | 94 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Sulfate | 160 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Uranium | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 10 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 10 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| Hardness | 16 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 8 | — | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| pH | 21 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Sodium | 162 | — | High | 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.
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