Wilkin County well owners should be aware of arsenic, iron, manganese, lead, and human-made chemicals like PFOA and PFOS in their groundwater. These contaminants exceed EPA health standards at concerning levels across the county.
The rock layers beneath Wilkin County naturally release arsenic, iron, and manganese into the water as it moves through the ground. Lead and fluoride enter from old pipes and natural deposits, while chloride and sulfate build up from the minerals in the bedrock. PFOA and PFOS are industrial chemicals that have contaminated some wells through spills or improper disposal.
Wilkin County groundwater is very hard and high in iron, driven by elevated calcium, magnesium, and iron from the underlying rock. As water percolates through these mineral-rich layers, it dissolves these elements and carries them into wells. Most wells in the county show these hard-water and iron characteristics.
Wells in Wilkin County commonly contain arsenic, lead, and fluoride at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Arsenic can damage your organs and increase cancer risk over time. Lead harms brain development in children and can cause learning problems, even at low amounts. Fluoride at high levels can affect bone health and tooth development. The county also has wells with chloride, sulfate, PFOA, PFOS, and PFHXS--chemicals linked to serious health concerns including liver damage and immune system problems.
The water in this county is very hard and contains high iron, sodium, and sulfate. Hard water leaves white scale buildup inside pipes and appliances and makes soap work poorly. Iron causes orange or brown staining on fixtures, clothes, and dishes. High sulfate and sodium can give water a salty or metallic taste and unpleasant odor. The extreme hardness shortens the lifespan of water heaters, dishwashers, and other appliances by years.
We recommend testing your well with a comprehensive metals and minerals panel, which costs between $200 and $400. Every well in this county is different--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. Water softeners, iron filters, and activated carbon systems can address different contaminants depending on what your test 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 | 39 | 90% | Moderate | High | |
| Manganese | 39 | 85% | Moderate | High | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 8 | 50% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Arsenic | 12 | 50% | Low | High | |
| Sulfate | 47 | 34% | Moderate | High | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 12 | 33% | Low | High | |
| Lead | 12 | 25% | Low | High | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 8 | 12% | Low | Moderate ⓘ | |
| Fluoride | 39 | 5% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Chloride | 54 | 2% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrate | 30 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrite | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 4 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 2 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Radon | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Uranium | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 7 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| E. coli | 4* | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 33 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| pH | 34 | — | 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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