Groundwater in Kenosha County contains iron, manganese, sulfate, chloride, and fluoride. Several of these contaminants exceed EPA health standards, which is a serious concern for well owners.
These contaminants come from the rock layers beneath the county. Iron and manganese dissolve naturally as groundwater moves slowly through the rock. Sulfate and chloride also occur naturally in these formations, and the low-oxygen conditions deep underground speed up the release of these minerals into the water.
Groundwater in this county is very hard, with elevated calcium and magnesium from the limestone and dolomite rock below, along with significant iron and sulfate. As water sits in contact with these rock layers over time, it picks up these minerals. These characteristics are common across wells in Kenosha County.
Wells in Kenosha County commonly contain chloride, fluoride, iron, manganese, and sulfate at levels above EPA health standards. Chloride and fluoride at elevated levels can affect kidney function and bone health over time. Iron and manganese at high concentrations can harm brain development in children and affect nervous system function in adults. Sulfate exposure through drinking water can cause digestive problems.
The water in this county is extremely hard, which means scale will build up inside pipes, faucets, and water heaters much faster than normal. Hard water this severe can actually shorten the lifespan of appliances like dishwashers and water heaters. You will likely see rust-colored or orange staining on sinks and fixtures from the iron present in county wells. The high sulfate levels can give the water a bitter or unpleasant taste.
We recommend testing your well water right away. Every well in this county is different, and your well may have higher or lower levels than what is common here. Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your water so you can treat it properly. A comprehensive metals and minerals panel typically costs $200-400 and will identify exactly what needs treatment. Treatment options include oxidation filters for iron and manganese removal, along with systems designed to reduce chloride and sulfate.
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 | 54 | 54% | Moderate | High | |
| Sulfate | 50 | 18% | Moderate | High | |
| Manganese | 46 | 9% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Fluoride | 43 | 2% | Moderate | Low | |
| Chloride | 52 | 2% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrate | 40 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Arsenic | 17 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 13 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| Lead | 17 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrite | 31 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 13 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 13 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 13 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 13 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| Radon | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Uranium | 14 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| Hardness | 55 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 13 | — | Low | Low | |
| pH | 61 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Sodium | 41 | — | 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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