Menard County groundwater contains radon, nitrate, iron, fluoride, and manganese at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Several of these contaminants are present at concentrations the EPA considers concerning enough to regulate.
Radon comes from natural decay of radioactive materials in the rock beneath the county. Nitrate enters groundwater mainly from septic systems and agricultural activities on the land above. Iron and manganese dissolve naturally from the rock as water passes through it over time. Fluoride also occurs naturally in the local geology and concentrates in the groundwater.
Menard County groundwater is very hard, driven primarily by calcium and magnesium from the underlying rock. The slow movement of water through these rocks allows minerals to dissolve into the water over long periods. These characteristics show up across most wells in the county.
Wells in Menard County commonly have fluoride, iron, manganese, nitrate, and radon above EPA health standards. Fluoride in excess amounts can damage developing teeth in children. Manganese and nitrate can affect the nervous system with long-term exposure. Radon is a radioactive gas that increases lung cancer risk when breathed in over time.
The county's very hard water leaves white scale buildup on faucets, fixtures, and inside pipes. This extreme hardness can shorten the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers. You may notice reduced water pressure and soap that does not lather well.
Every well is different, so your water may have higher or lower levels than what is common here. Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your well. We recommend a comprehensive metals and minerals panel, which costs between $200 and $400. Water softeners can address hardness, and other filtration systems can help remove specific contaminants.
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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Radon | 1 | 100% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Nitrate | 28 | 7% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Iron | 52 | 6% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Manganese | 45 | 2% | Moderate | Low | |
| Fluoride | 591 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Arsenic | 39 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Chloride | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 3 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Lead | 39 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrite | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 3 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 3 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 3 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 3 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Uranium | 8 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Total Coliform | 1* | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 1 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| pH | 1 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 3 | — | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 1 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| E. coli | 1* | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ |
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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