Groundwater in Alger County contains radon, iron, and manganese that well owners should be aware of. These contaminants exceed EPA health standards, which means they warrant attention and testing.
These contaminants come from the Jacobsville sandstone aquifer that underlies the county. As groundwater moves slowly through this reddish rock, it dissolves iron and manganese that sit naturally within the stone. Radon, a radioactive gas, seeps into the water from tiny amounts of uranium in the rock itself.
The groundwater in this county is moderately hard, driven by dissolved minerals including moderate iron and manganese concentrations. This hardness comes from minerals released as water passes through the sandstone and surrounding rock layers. These characteristics are common across wells in the county, though individual wells may vary in their specific levels.
Wells in Alger County commonly contain iron, manganese, and radon at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Iron and manganese are metals that can build up in your body over time. Manganese is especially concerning because it can affect how children's brains develop. Radon is a radioactive gas that enters groundwater naturally. Breathing radon released from water during showering and cooking increases your lung cancer risk over many years.
Beyond health concerns, wells in this county have moderately hard water. Iron at the levels found here leaves orange or rust-colored stains on sinks, toilets, and laundry that are hard to remove. You may notice a metallic taste in your water. Hard water can shorten the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers by causing scale buildup inside pipes and appliances.
We recommend testing your well water. Every well is different, and your well may have higher or lower levels 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. A comprehensive metals and minerals panel typically costs $200-400. Treatment options include aeration systems to remove radon and iron filters to reduce staining.
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 | 2 | 50% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Iron | 28 | 32% | Moderate | High | |
| Manganese | 27 | 30% | Moderate | High | |
| Arsenic | 26 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Chloride | 34 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Fluoride | 28 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Lead | 26 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrate | 30 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrite | 23 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFNA | 18 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFOA | 22 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Sulfate | 34 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Uranium | 4 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 30 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| pH | 35 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Hardness | 34 | — | 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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