Groundwater in Wadena County contains manganese, iron, arsenic, and a chemical called PFHXS that well owners should know about. Several of these contaminants exceed EPA health standards, which means action is needed for affected wells.
These metals and contaminants come from the county's underground rock layer itself. Iron and manganese occur naturally in the rocks that hold the water, and they dissolve into the groundwater over time. Arsenic also occurs naturally in some rock layers in this region. PFHXS is a human-made chemical that has entered groundwater through land use and industrial activities.
Groundwater in this county is hard, driven by elevated iron and naturally present calcium and magnesium from the rock. The county's rock type naturally releases these minerals into water as it sits underground. Iron is particularly common across wells in Wadena County, while the presence of the other contaminants varies from well to well.
Wells in Wadena County can have arsenic, iron, manganese, and PFHXS at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Arsenic builds up in your body over time and can cause cancer and damage to your kidneys, heart, and nervous system. Iron and manganese at high levels can harm the brain, especially in children, affecting learning and development. PFHXS is a forever chemical linked to liver damage, immune system problems, and cancer risk.
The hard water in county wells leaves stubborn stains on sinks, showers, and laundry that are difficult to remove. You'll notice scale buildup inside pipes and appliances that reduces water flow and shortens the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers. The hardness can also make soap less effective and leave your skin and hair feeling dry.
We recommend testing your well with a comprehensive panel since several contaminants exceed health standards in this county. Every well is different, and your water could have higher or lower levels than what's common here. Testing is the only way to know what's actually in your well so you can treat it properly. A comprehensive metals and minerals panel runs $200-400 and can identify what treatment options, like activated carbon filters or water softeners, would work best for your situation.
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 | 31 | 87% | Moderate | High | |
| Iron | 65 | 67% | Moderate | High | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 6 | 33% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Arsenic | 54 | 8% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Sulfate | 64 | 2% | Moderate | Low | |
| Chloride | 67 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Fluoride | 26 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 5 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 4 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Nitrite | 5 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 6 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 6 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| pH | 10 | — | — | Low | Low |
| Sodium | 51 | — | — | Moderate | Low |
| Nitrate | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Lead | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 16 | — | — | Moderate | Low |
| Fecal Coliform | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| E. coli | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 4 | — | 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.
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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