Groundwater in Cass County contains iron, arsenic, and lead at levels that exceed EPA health standards. These contaminants are concerning enough that well owners should test their water and consider treatment options.
The Lower Cretaceous rock layer beneath Cass County naturally contains iron and arsenic. These metals dissolve into groundwater as it moves slowly through the rock over many years. Lead can enter from old plumbing and pipe materials in individual wells rather than from the rock itself.
Groundwater in this county is moderately hard, driven mainly by elevated iron. Iron concentrates in the water because it occurs naturally in the rock and dissolves as groundwater passes through. This combination of moderate hardness and high iron is common across wells throughout the county.
Wells in Cass County often have arsenic, iron, and lead at levels that concern health officials. Arsenic can build up in your body over time and increase the risk of cancer and other serious illnesses. Lead is especially harmful to children and can affect learning and development. Iron itself is not dangerous at high levels, but it is found alongside the other contaminants in this county's wells.
The high iron in county wells causes orange or brown staining on sinks, toilets, and laundry. It can make water taste metallic and leave rust-colored deposits in pipes. The moderately hard water here can create scale buildup on faucets and inside appliances, which can shorten the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers over time.
We recommend testing your well water with a comprehensive panel to find out what is actually in your water, since every well is different and yours may have higher or lower levels than average in the county. Testing is the only way to know if you need treatment. A comprehensive metals and minerals panel costs between two hundred and four hundred dollars. Treatment options like reverse osmosis or activated carbon filters can address multiple contaminants depending on what testing reveals.
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 | 305 | 58% | High | High | |
| Iron | 321 | 41% | High | High | |
| PFOA | 34 | 26% | Moderate | High | |
| PFOS | 29 | 7% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Arsenic | 251 | 5% | High |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Chloride | 323 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Fluoride | 231 | 0% | High | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) | 20 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Lead | 251 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Nitrate | 40 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrite | 13 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| PFHxS | 2 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFNA | 28 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Sulfate | 323 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Uranium | 7 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 326 | — | High | Low | |
| pH | 86 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS | 3 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 75 | — | 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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