Groundwater in Itasca County contains arsenic, iron, lead, manganese, nitrite, and sulfate at levels that exceed federal health standards. These contaminants are present at concerning levels that warrant attention from well owners.
The rock layer that supplies water to your well is naturally rich in iron and manganese, and these metals dissolve into groundwater as water moves through the rock. Arsenic also occurs naturally in this underground rock. Lead and nitrite can come from both natural sources and human activities like old plumbing materials and fertilizer use in the area.
Groundwater in this county is soft, with iron as the main mineral that gives the water its character. Iron comes directly from the rock formation that holds your water supply. Many wells across the county show elevated iron, making this a widespread trait in the area.
Wells in Itasca County have been found with arsenic, iron, lead, manganese, and nitrite at levels above EPA health standards. Arsenic can damage your organs and increase cancer risk over time. Lead harms brain development in children and raises blood pressure in adults. Nitrite can reduce oxygen in infants' blood. Manganese at high levels can affect the nervous system.
The iron and manganese in county wells can stain your laundry, dishes, and plumbing fixtures orange or brown. You might notice a metallic taste or smell in your water. These minerals can leave scale buildup in pipes and reduce water flow over time.
Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your well so you can treat it properly. Since several contaminants exceed health standards in this county, we recommend a comprehensive metals and minerals panel, which typically costs between $200 and $400. Every well is different, and your water could have higher or lower levels than what is common here. Treatment options like reverse osmosis, activated carbon filters, or water softeners can remove or reduce these 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 | 154 | 51% | High | High | |
| Iron | 167 | 41% | High | High | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 35 | 23% | Moderate | High | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 26 | 15% | Moderate | High | |
| Arsenic | 90 | 4% | Moderate |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Sulfate | 153 | 1% | High | Low | |
| Lead | 90 | 1% | Moderate | Low | |
| Chloride | 373 | 1% | High | Low | |
| Fluoride | 102 | 0% | High | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 17 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Nitrate | 66 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 4 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 21 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Sodium | 157 | — | High | Low | |
| pH | 58 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 4 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 54 | — | 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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