Groundwater in Mills County contains nitrate, iron, fluoride, and arsenic. Several of these contaminants exceed EPA health standards, so well owners should test their water to know what they are drinking.
Nitrate enters groundwater mainly from fertilizers and septic systems used in farming and ranching across the county. Iron, fluoride, and arsenic come from the bedrock itself--these minerals dissolve naturally as water moves through the underground rocks over time.
Groundwater in this county is marked by moderate iron content. The rocks beneath Mills County naturally release iron as water passes through them, and this mineral is found in a moderate amount across many wells in the area.
Wells in Mills County can contain arsenic, fluoride, iron, and nitrate at levels above EPA health standards. Arsenic exposure over time can harm your kidneys and increase cancer risk. Fluoride at high levels can affect bone health and tooth development in children. Nitrate is especially dangerous for infants and can interfere with oxygen in the blood. Iron itself is not a health risk at the levels found here, but it comes alongside these other concerns.
Iron in county well water leaves reddish or brownish stains on sinks, toilets, and laundry. It can give water a metallic taste and create buildup inside pipes and appliances. You may notice these problems more in some seasons than others, depending on how much iron is in your specific well.
We recommend a comprehensive metals and minerals panel to find out exactly what is in your well, since every well is different and yours could have higher or lower levels than what is common in the county. Testing costs between $200 and $400 and is the only way to know what needs treatment. Depending on your results, options like arsenic removal systems or iron filters can help improve your water quality.
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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nitrate | 14 | 14% | Low | Moderate | |
| Iron | 41 | 10% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Fluoride | 102 | 4% | High |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Arsenic | 30 | 3% | Moderate |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Lead | 30 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Manganese | 39 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Uranium | 5 | 0% | 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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