Groundwater in Becker County contains manganese, iron, arsenic, chloride, lead, and radon at levels that exceed EPA health standards, along with sulfate. These contaminants are present at concentrations serious enough that well owners should test their water and consider treatment.
The rock formations beneath Becker County naturally contain these metals and elements. As groundwater moves slowly through the Lower Cretaceous rock layers, it dissolves iron and manganese from the stone itself. Arsenic occurs naturally in some of these rock formations. Chloride, sulfate, and radon also come from the geological materials underground in this region.
Groundwater in Becker County is hard, driven by elevated calcium and magnesium from the rock layers below. The Lower Cretaceous formations here contain minerals that dissolve into the water as it passes through. These characteristics are found across most wells in the county.
Wells in Becker County exceed EPA health standards for several contaminants. Arsenic, lead, radon, and PFOA are known to cause serious health problems including cancer, nervous system damage, and developmental issues, especially in children. Chloride, sulfate, iron, and manganese in elevated amounts also pose health concerns that build up over time from drinking contaminated water.
The hard water in county wells causes staining on fixtures and dishes, leaves buildup inside pipes and appliances, and can shorten the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers. You may notice reddish or brown discoloration from iron and dark stains from manganese. Some people also report unpleasant tastes or odors in their water from these minerals.
Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your well, since every well is different and your water could have much higher or lower levels than what is common here. We recommend a comprehensive water quality panel that checks for metals, bacteria, and chemicals--this typically costs $200 to $400. Once you know what you are dealing with, you can install proper treatment like a water softener, iron filter, or activated carbon system to protect your family.
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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manganese | 161 | 84% | High | High | |
| Iron | 179 | 83% | High | High | |
| Arsenic | 124 | 34% | High | High | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 29 | 7% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Nitrate | 82 | 6% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Sulfate | 198 | 3% | High | Low | |
| Lead | 128 | 2% | High | Low | |
| Chloride | 223 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Fluoride | 175 | 0% | High | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 4 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Nitrite | 46 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 2 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 5 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Radon | 5 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Uranium | 6 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 185 | — | High | Low | |
| pH | 99 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 2 | — | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 57 | — | 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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