Groundwater in Clare County contains iron, manganese, sulfate, and chloride. Several of these contaminants exceed EPA health standards, making them a concern for well owners in this area.
These minerals come from the mixed rock layers that sit beneath Clare County. As groundwater moves slowly through cracks and spaces in these rocks, iron and manganese dissolve into the water. Sulfate and chloride are also naturally present in the bedrock and leach into groundwater over time. The slow movement of water underground gives these minerals more time to dissolve.
Groundwater in Clare County is very hard, driven by elevated calcium and magnesium from the rock below. Iron and manganese dissolve from these same mixed rock layers as water sits in contact with them. These characteristics are common across wells in this county.
Wells in Clare County commonly contain chloride, iron, manganese, and sulfate at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Chloride and sulfate at elevated concentrations can affect kidney function over time, especially in people with high blood pressure or heart disease. Iron and manganese are metals that build up in your body with long-term exposure--manganese can harm your brain and nervous system development, while elevated iron can damage your organs.
Wells in this county often have very hard water, which means you will likely see crusty white deposits and staining on sinks, toilets, and fixtures. The high mineral content can shorten the lifespan of water heaters, dishwashers, and other appliances. You may notice a metallic or unpleasant taste in your water, and mineral buildup inside pipes and plumbing is common.
We recommend testing your well water through a certified lab, 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 is actually in your water so it can be properly treated. Because multiple analytes exceed health standards here, a comprehensive metals and minerals panel is recommended, which typically costs $200-400. Iron removal systems or water softeners can help address these concerns.
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 | 6 | 67% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Manganese | 6 | 50% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 6 | 33% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Chloride | 6 | 17% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Arsenic | 6 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Fluoride | 6 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Lead | 2 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Nitrate | 2 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Nitrite | 2 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Radon | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Uranium | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 6 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| pH | 8 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 6 | — | Low | 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.
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