Groundwater in Brown County contains iron, radon, sulfate, chloride, and lead at levels that exceed EPA health standards. These contaminant levels are concerning and should prompt well owners to test their water.
The deep limestone and sandstone rock layers beneath this county naturally release iron and other minerals into groundwater as water sits in contact with the rock for years. Radon enters the water from the natural breakdown of radioactive material in the rock. Chloride comes partly from road salt used on local roads, which seeps down through soil into the groundwater.
Groundwater in this county is very hard, driven by elevated calcium and magnesium from the limestone below. The combination of iron at high levels and very hard water is common across wells throughout Brown County.
Wells in Brown County contain chloride, lead, radon, and sulfate at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Chloride at elevated levels can increase blood pressure and cause heart problems, especially for people on salt-restricted diets. Lead damages children's brains and nervous systems, harming their learning and behavior. Radon is a radioactive gas that builds up in lungs over time and raises cancer risk.
The very hard water in county wells leaves white, crusty scale on pipes, fixtures, and appliances. This buildup can shorten the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers. You may notice stiff, dull laundry and difficulty getting soap to lather. Orange or brown staining from iron can appear on sinks and toilet bowls and is hard to remove.
We recommend testing your well through a comprehensive metals and minerals panel, since multiple contaminants exceed health standards. Every well is different, and your well's contamination levels may be higher or lower than what is common in the county. Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your water so it can be properly treated. Treatment options like water softeners, iron filters, and radon removal systems can address these concerns depending on your results.
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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iron | 158 | 51% | High | High | |
| Radon | 6 | 17% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Chloride | 265 | 15% | High | Moderate | |
| Manganese | 157 | 13% | High | Moderate | |
| Sulfate | 269 | 8% | High | Moderate | |
| Arsenic | 68 | 1% | Moderate | Low | |
| Lead | 68 | 1% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrate | 179 | 1% | High | Low | |
| Uranium | 8 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 54 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 54 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 54 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 54 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Nitrite | 161 | 0% | High | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 54 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Fluoride | 142 | 0% | High | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 54 | — | Moderate | Safe | |
| Hardness | 268 | — | High | Low | |
| Sodium | 206 | — | High | Low | |
| pH | 270 | — | High | 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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