Groundwater in Eau Claire County contains radon, a radioactive gas, along with pfhxs and arsenic. Radon and pfhxs exceed EPA health standards in some wells, so testing is important for well owners here.
Radon forms naturally as uranium in the deep rock breaks down over time. Pfhxs is a human-made chemical that can enter groundwater from industrial activity or contaminated sites. Arsenic also comes from the natural minerals in the bedrock that dissolve slowly into water as it moves through the ground.
Groundwater in this county is soft, meaning calcium and magnesium levels are low. The rock layers that supply wells here do not contain the minerals that make water hard. This soft-water characteristic is common across wells throughout Eau Claire County.
Wells in Eau Claire County can contain radon and PFHXS at levels above EPA health standards. Radon is a radioactive gas that enters groundwater from natural rock breakdown and increases the risk of lung cancer when breathed in over time. PFHXS is a human-made chemical that can harm the liver, thyroid, and immune system with long-term exposure.
The good news is that Eau Claire County wells are soft, meaning you won't experience the stubborn staining, scale buildup, or appliance wear that comes with hard water. Sodium and sulfate levels are also low, so taste and odor concerns from these minerals are not typical here.
We recommend testing your well water to find out what is actually present in your specific well. Since multiple contaminants exceed standards in the county, a comprehensive metals and minerals panel is recommended, which typically costs $200 to $400. Testing is the only way to know if treatment is needed, and radon aeration systems or activated carbon filters can address these concerns if detected.
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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