Groundwater in Eau Claire County contains radon, iron, and manganese. Iron and manganese exceed EPA health standards, warranting attention from well owners.
These metals come naturally from the deep rock layers below this county. As groundwater moves slowly through the bedrock, iron and manganese dissolve into the water. Radon is released from the natural breakdown of radioactive elements in the same rock layers.
Groundwater in this county is moderately hard, driven by calcium and magnesium from the limestone bedrock below. These minerals accumulate as water passes through the rock over time. Moderate hardness and elevated iron are common across wells throughout this county.
Wells in Eau Claire County commonly exceed EPA health standards for iron, manganese, and radon. Iron and manganese do not cause immediate health problems at the levels found in county wells. Radon is a radioactive gas that can increase lung cancer risk over time with long-term exposure through inhalation.
The mineral content in county wells is moderately hard, which means some households may notice scale buildup on pipes and fixtures. Iron can leave reddish or brownish stains on laundry and plumbing surfaces. You might also detect a metallic taste or slight odor in the water, though these issues vary from well to well.
We recommend testing your well with a comprehensive metals and minerals panel to learn what is actually in your water, since every well is different and yours may have higher or lower levels than what is common in the county. Testing is the only way to know what needs treatment. Iron removal systems and radon aeration can address these concerns if testing shows elevated levels.
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 | 1 | 100% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Manganese | 103 | 50% | High | High | |
| Iron | 98 | 33% | Moderate | High | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 19 | 5% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Arsenic | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Chloride | 51 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Fluoride | 49 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 19 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Lead | 4 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Nitrate | 43 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrite | 29 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 19 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 19 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 19 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Sulfate | 51 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Uranium | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 40 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 19 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Hardness | 102 | — | High | Low | |
| pH | 96 | — | Moderate | 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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