Well owners in Watonwan County should be aware that their groundwater contains iron, manganese, arsenic, lead, nitrate, chloride, sulfate, and PFOS and PFHXS chemicals. Multiple contaminants exceed EPA health standards, making testing and possible treatment important for your household.
These contaminants come from two different sources. Iron, manganese, and arsenic dissolve naturally from the rock layers beneath the county. Nitrate, chloride, sulfate, and the PFOS and PFHXS chemicals enter through the soil from fertilizer use, road salt, wastewater, and industrial or commercial activities on the land above.
Water in Watonwan County is very hard, with very high iron and high sulfate as defining features. The underlying rock naturally releases calcium and magnesium that create hardness, while also contributing iron and sulfate to the groundwater as water moves through. These characteristics show up across most wells tested in the county.
Wells in Watonwan County commonly exceed EPA health standards for multiple contaminants. Arsenic and lead are toxic metals that can damage organs and harm children's brain development. Manganese affects the nervous system, especially in young children. Nitrate is dangerous for babies and can cause serious illness. PFOA and PFOS are human-made chemicals that build up in your body over time and have been linked to health problems. Chloride at high levels can pose risks for people with heart or kidney conditions.
The mineral content in county wells creates noticeable quality-of-life problems. Iron stains laundry, sinks, and fixtures orange or brown. The water is extremely hard, leaving white scale buildup inside pipes and on fixtures that is difficult to remove. This extreme hardness also shortens the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers. You may notice a metallic or bitter taste, or a rotten egg smell from sulfate and manganese.
Testing your well is the only way to know what is actually in your water. Every well is different, and your well could have higher or lower levels than what is common in the county. We recommend a comprehensive metals and minerals panel, which typically costs $200-400. Once you know what you are dealing with, treatment options like reverse osmosis systems or water softeners can address your specific problems.
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 | 35 | 89% | Moderate | High | |
| Manganese | 25 | 88% | Moderate | High | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 8 | 50% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 39 | 44% | Moderate | High | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 6 | 33% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 4 | 25% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Arsenic | 24 | 25% | Moderate | High | |
| Lead | 24 | 17% | Moderate | High | |
| Nitrate | 35 | 3% | Moderate | Low | |
| Chloride | 56 | 2% | Moderate | Low | |
| Fluoride | 33 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 2 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Nitrite | 14 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Uranium | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 17 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 4 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| pH | 19 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Sodium | 35 | — | 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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