Groundwater in Caledonia County contains radon, iron, manganese, arsenic, lead, uranium, nitrate, and chloride. Several of these contaminants exceed EPA health standards, making them a real concern for well owners in this area.
These contaminants come from the local rock and soil. Radon seeps from uranium naturally present in the bedrock. Iron and manganese dissolve into groundwater as it moves through the surrounding rocks. Arsenic, lead, and uranium occur naturally in the geology here. Nitrate and chloride usually come from human activities like septic systems, road salt, and fertilizers.
Groundwater in Caledonia County is hard, driven by calcium and magnesium that dissolve from the bedrock as water passes through. The combination of hard water and elevated iron and manganese is common across wells throughout the county. Your individual well results will vary, but hardness and these metals are widespread in this area.
Wells in Caledonia County show elevated levels of arsenic, lead, uranium, and radon--all known to cause serious health problems with long-term exposure. Arsenic and uranium can damage kidneys and increase cancer risk. Lead harms the brain and nervous system, especially in children. Radon is a radioactive gas that increases lung cancer risk. Nitrate pollution can affect how blood carries oxygen, and manganese can damage the nervous system.
The hard water in county wells can leave white scale buildup on faucets and inside pipes, and staining on fixtures and laundry. Hard water also makes it harder for soap to work well. This hardness can shorten the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers over time. Iron and manganese in some wells add to staining problems.
We recommend testing your well water as soon as possible, since every well is different and 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 testing for metals, minerals, and radioactive elements runs between $200 and $400. Treatment options like activated carbon filters, ion exchange systems, and radon removal can address different 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 | 240 | 98% | High | High ⓘ | |
| Iron | 494 | 10% | High | Moderate | |
| Manganese | 597 | 9% | High | Moderate | |
| Lead | 3532 | 4% | High |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Arsenic | 1067 | 1% | High | Low | |
| Uranium | 868 | 1% | High | Low | |
| Nitrate | 981 | 1% | High | Low | |
| Chloride | 994 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Fluoride | 991 | 0% | High | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 5 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Nitrite | 951 | 0% | High | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 5 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 5 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 5 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 5 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 21 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Total Coliform | 1* | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 490 | — | High | Low | |
| pH | 54 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 5 | — | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 295 | — | High | Low | |
| E. coli | 1* | 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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