Groundwater in Waseca County contains iron, manganese, nitrate, arsenic, and PFOA. Several of these contaminants exceed EPA health standards and require attention.
These contaminants come from two sources. Iron and manganese dissolve naturally from the limestone bedrock beneath the county. Nitrate, arsenic, and PFOA enter groundwater from agricultural fertilizer use, septic systems, and industrial sources that seep down through the soil into the water below.
Groundwater in Waseca County is very hard, driven by elevated calcium and magnesium from the limestone aquifer, and contains very high iron levels. The carbonate rock dissolves slowly as water moves through it, releasing these minerals into the water supply. These characteristics are widespread across wells throughout the county.
Wells in Waseca County commonly contain arsenic, iron, manganese, nitrate, and PFOA at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Arsenic can harm your kidneys and increase cancer risk over time. Manganese affects how your nervous system works. Nitrate is especially dangerous for babies and young children. Iron and PFOA also pose health concerns with long-term exposure.
The very hard water in county wells leaves rust stains on sinks, toilets, and fixtures. Scale builds up inside pipes and on water heaters, shortening their lifespan. Hard water makes soap work poorly and leaves spots on dishes and glassware. You may notice a metallic taste or smell in your water.
We recommend testing your well because every well is different and yours could 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. A comprehensive metals and minerals panel typically costs between $200 and $400. Treatment options include reverse osmosis filters, activated carbon, or water softeners depending on your results.
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 | 19 | 89% | Moderate | High | |
| Manganese | 19 | 68% | Moderate | High | |
| Nitrate | 8 | 25% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Arsenic | 14 | 21% | Low | High | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 6 | 17% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Nitrite | 2 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 5 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 5 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 5 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Chloride | 19 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Fluoride | 19 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 5 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Lead | 15 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Sulfate | 19 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 5 | — | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 10 | — | Low | Low | |
| pH | 10 | — | Low | Low | |
| Sodium | 19 | — | 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.
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