Groundwater in Mille Lacs County contains iron, PFOS, and PFOA at levels that exceed EPA health standards, along with sulfate and lead. These contaminants are present at concentrations serious enough that well owners should test their water and consider treatment.
Iron and sulfate come from the rock layers beneath this county. Iron occurs naturally when groundwater passes through certain rocks and minerals underground. PFOS and PFOA are human-made chemicals that enter groundwater from industrial sites, landfills, and firefighting activities. Lead enters water from old pipes and plumbing materials in individual wells and homes.
Groundwater in this county is moderately hard, driven by moderate iron content. Iron concentrates in the water as it flows through underground rock layers over time. These mineral characteristics are common across many wells in Mille Lacs County.
Wells in Mille Lacs County show elevated levels of sulfate, iron, lead, PFOA, and PFOS above EPA health standards. Lead damages the brain and nervous system, especially in children, even at low levels. PFOA and PFOS are forever chemicals that build up in your body and have been linked to kidney disease, thyroid problems, and other health issues. Sulfate at high levels can cause digestive problems and diarrhea.
The moderate iron levels common in county wells leave rust-colored stains on sinks, toilets, and laundry. Iron can make water taste metallic and smell bad. The water in this county is moderately hard, which means soap doesn't work as well and you get scale buildup on faucets and shower heads. Hard water can shorten the life of water heaters and dishwashers over time.
We recommend testing your well with a comprehensive panel to find out what is actually in your water, since every well is different and yours could have higher or lower levels than average. 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. Depending on results, treatment options range from simple filtration systems to more advanced carbon filters or ion exchange.
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 | 62 | 66% | Moderate | High | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 8 | 62% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Iron | 62 | 47% | Moderate | High | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 14 | 29% | Low | High | |
| Chloride | 105 | 4% | High |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Nitrite | 47 | 2% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrate | 66 | 2% | Moderate | Low | |
| Arsenic | 28 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Fluoride | 47 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 10 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| Lead | 30 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 5 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 13 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| Sulfate | 87 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Sodium | 59 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| pH | 54 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 4 | — | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 33 | — | 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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