Groundwater in Wright County contains manganese, iron, arsenic, lead, uranium, and PFOA and PFOS. Multiple contaminants exceed EPA health standards, making testing and treatment important for your well.
These contaminants come from two sources. Iron and manganese dissolve naturally from the rock layers underground as water passes through them over time. Arsenic, uranium, and lead also occur naturally in the bedrock here. PFOA and PFOS are industrial chemicals that have entered some groundwater from past disposal or manufacturing activities in the region.
This county's water is very hard, driven by elevated calcium and magnesium dissolved from the surrounding rock. The very high iron content adds a distinct mineral character to the water. These characteristics are widespread across wells throughout Wright County, reflecting the shared geology that feeds most local groundwater supplies.
Wells in Wright County commonly contain arsenic, lead, uranium, and PFOA and PFOS at levels above EPA health standards. Arsenic and uranium are toxic metals that increase cancer risk. Lead damages children's brain development and learning. PFOA and PFOS are industrial chemicals linked to serious health effects including immune system problems and kidney damage. Manganese and iron also exceed standards in many county wells and can harm your nervous system and blood at elevated levels.
The very hard water in this county causes significant quality-of-life problems. You will see rust and orange staining on sinks, toilets, and laundry. Scale buildup clogs pipes and reduces water flow from fixtures. The water tastes metallic and makes soap less effective for cleaning. This extreme hardness shortens the lifespan of water heaters, dishwashers, and other appliances.
We recommend testing your well with a comprehensive metals and minerals panel, since multiple contaminants exceed health standards here. Every well is different--yours could have higher or lower levels than what is common in the county. Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your water so you can treat it properly. A comprehensive panel typically costs $200 to $400. Iron removal systems and water softeners can address both the metal contamination and hardness.
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 | 39 | 82% | Moderate | High | |
| Iron | 131 | 76% | High | High | |
| Arsenic | 112 | 35% | High | High | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 48 | 23% | Moderate | High | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 43 | 5% | Moderate |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Lead | 113 | 2% | High | Low | |
| Uranium | 94 | 1% | Moderate | Low | |
| Chloride | 131 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Fluoride | 129 | 0% | High | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 28 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Nitrate | 126 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Nitrite | 96 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 34 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 31 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Sulfate | 130 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Hardness | 21 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 36 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| pH | 26 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Sodium | 129 | — | 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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