Groundwater in Windsor County contains radon, manganese, iron, arsenic, chloride, lead, nitrate, and uranium. Several of these contaminants exceed EPA health standards, so well owners should test their water and take results seriously.
These contaminants come from different sources in the local rock and soil. Radon and uranium are naturally present in the bedrock beneath the county. Manganese and iron dissolve into groundwater as it moves through the rock layers. Arsenic, lead, nitrate, and chloride can come from both natural rock sources and human activity like septic systems, road salt, and past industrial use.
Groundwater in Windsor County is hard, driven by calcium and magnesium that dissolve from the rock as water passes through it. The non-carbonate bedrock here still contains minerals that create hardness, just less dramatically than the limestone found in neighboring counties. Hard water is widespread across wells in this county.
Wells in Windsor County show several contaminants at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Arsenic, uranium, and radon are radioactive elements that build up in your body over time and raise cancer risk. Lead harms children's brain development and learning, even at low levels. Nitrate and chloride affect how your body uses oxygen and processes salt. Manganese affects your nervous system and can cause movement problems with long-term exposure.
Hard water is common in this county and can leave white scale buildup on faucets and inside pipes and appliances. Over time, hard water can shorten the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers. You may notice spots on dishes and glassware after washing, and soap does not lather as well. While mineral levels for iron, sodium, and sulfate are low in county wells, the hardness itself creates these everyday problems.
We recommend testing your well to find out exactly what is in your water, since every well is different and yours may have higher or lower levels than what is common here. A comprehensive panel that checks for metals, minerals, bacteria, and radioactive elements runs between $200 and $400 and is the only way to know what treatment your well actually needs. Depending on test results, your well may benefit from a water softener, activated carbon filter, or reverse osmosis system.
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 | 164 | 98% | High | High ⓘ | |
| Manganese | 982 | 13% | High | Moderate | |
| Iron | 796 | 11% | High | Moderate | |
| Lead | 3979 | 6% | High | Moderate | |
| Chloride | 1691 | 2% | High | Low | |
| Arsenic | 1965 | 1% | High | Low | |
| Uranium | 1748 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Nitrate | 1262 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Fluoride | 1953 | 0% | High | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 9 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Nitrite | 1236 | 0% | High | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 9 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 9 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 9 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 9 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 45 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Sodium | 768 | — | High | Low | |
| E. coli | 1* | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 493 | — | High | Low | |
| Total Coliform | 1* | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| pH | 64 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 9 | — | 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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