Groundwater in Kendall County contains iron, sulfate, chloride, fluoride, manganese, nitrate, sodium, and PFOS and PFHXS chemicals. Several of these contaminants exceed EPA health standards, making water quality a real concern for well owners here.
The Edwards-Trinity aquifer system that supplies this county naturally releases iron, manganese, and sulfate as water moves slowly through the rock layers. Chloride and sodium concentrate in the groundwater from the rock itself. Nitrate enters from fertilizer and septic systems in areas with farming or dense development. PFOS and PFHXS are human-made chemicals that have contaminated groundwater through industrial use and disposal.
Groundwater in this county is very hard, driven by high levels of sodium, sulfate, and calcium and magnesium from the rock below. Water moving through limestone and other carbonate-rich layers dissolves these minerals over time. These characteristics are widespread across wells throughout Kendall County.
Kendall County wells commonly exceed EPA health standards for chloride, fluoride, iron, manganese, nitrate, and PFOA/PFOS chemicals. Chloride and fluoride at elevated levels can harm your teeth and bones over time. Iron and manganese affect the nervous system and can cause developmental problems in children. Nitrate is especially dangerous for infants and interferes with oxygen in the blood. PFOA and PFOS are industrial chemicals that build up in your body and can affect your immune system and liver.
The extremely hard water in this county causes significant problems at home. You will see rust stains on fixtures and laundry, white crusty buildup inside pipes and on appliances, and a chalky taste in drinking water. The high sulfate levels give water a bitter taste and can cause digestive issues. This extreme hardness shortens the lifespan of water heaters, dishwashers, and other appliances, and makes soap work poorly.
A comprehensive water test is recommended since multiple contaminants exceed health standards in county wells. Every well is different, and your well may 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 $200-400 and will identify which contaminants need treatment through options like reverse osmosis systems or water softeners.
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 | 93 | 27% | Moderate | High | |
| Sulfate | 12 | 17% | Low | High | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 20 | 10% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Chloride | 12 | 8% | Low | Moderate | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 20 | 5% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 20 | 5% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Nitrate | 25 | 4% | Moderate |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Fluoride | 253 | 2% | High | Low | |
| Manganese | 76 | 1% | Moderate | Low | |
| Arsenic | 61 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 20 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Lead | 56 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrite | 12 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 20 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Radon | 6 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Uranium | 19 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Sodium | 12 | — | Low | Low | |
| pH | 12 | — | Low | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 20 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Hardness | 12 | — | 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.
* 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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