Potter County groundwater contains iron, arsenic, fluoride, and manganese that well owners should monitor. Arsenic, fluoride, and manganese are present at levels that exceed EPA health standards, making them a genuine concern for your water supply.
These contaminants come from the natural rock and soil layers beneath Potter County. The High Plains aquifer here sits in sandy and gravelly deposits that naturally contain arsenic and fluoride. Iron and manganese also occur naturally in these underground layers and can dissolve into groundwater as it moves through them.
Groundwater in this county is characterized by elevated iron, arsenic, and fluoride from the natural minerals in the aquifer. These elements concentrate in the water because they leach from the sand and gravel as water passes through. Wells across Potter County commonly pick up these naturally occurring contaminants.
Wells in Potter County have been found with arsenic, fluoride, iron, and manganese at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Arsenic can cause skin problems, increased cancer risk, and damage to the heart and blood vessels with long-term exposure. Fluoride at elevated levels can cause dental problems and bone damage. Manganese can harm the nervous system and affect brain development in children.
Iron and manganese in county wells create staining on sinks, toilets, and laundry that is hard to remove. These minerals can also give water a metallic or unpleasant taste and create discoloration when water sits or is heated.
We recommend getting your well tested with a comprehensive panel that checks for metals and minerals, since multiple contaminants are a concern in this county. Your well is unique and 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 panel typically costs between two hundred and four hundred dollars. Treatment options like reverse osmosis filters or ion exchange systems can remove many of these contaminants.
| Contaminant | Samples ⓘ | % Above MCL ⓘ | Distribution ⓘ | Confidence ⓘ | Risk ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iron | 152 | 5% | High | Moderate | |
| Arsenic | 145 | 2% | High | Low | |
| Fluoride | 228 | 1% | High | Low | |
| Manganese | 151 | 1% | High | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 20 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Lead | 141 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Nitrate | 6 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 20 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 20 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 20 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 20 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Uranium | 9 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 20 | — | Moderate | 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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