Groundwater in Mower County contains radon, iron, lead, arsenic, and PFOA and PFOS chemicals that well owners need to know about. Several of these contaminants exceed EPA health standards, making them a real concern for your household water.
These contaminants come from different sources in the county. Radon seeps naturally from the limestone bedrock below. Iron and arsenic are released from the rock layers themselves as groundwater moves through them over time. Lead and PFOA and PFOS enter groundwater from human activity--old plumbing, industrial use, and contaminated sites--rather than from the geology alone.
Groundwater in this county is very hard, driven by elevated calcium and magnesium dissolving from the limestone bedrock. The limestone layers that make up your aquifer are naturally rich in these minerals, and as water sits underground it picks them up. Iron is also elevated in your water from the same rock source. These characteristics are widespread across Mower County wells.
Wells in Mower County commonly have arsenic, radon, lead, PFOA, and PFOS at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Arsenic can damage your kidneys and increase cancer risk. Radon is a radioactive gas that causes lung cancer when you breathe it in. Lead harms children's brain development and causes other serious health problems in adults. PFOA and PFOS are human-made chemicals that can affect your immune system and liver.
The water in this county tends to be very hard, which means mineral buildup on your fixtures and inside your pipes. You will see white or orange staining on sinks and shower heads. Hard water can shorten the life of water heaters, dishwashers, and washing machines. It also makes soap less effective for cleaning.
We recommend testing your well water with a comprehensive panel since multiple contaminants are found in county wells. Every well is different, and your water could have higher or lower levels than what is common here. Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your well so you can treat it properly. A comprehensive metals and contaminants panel typically costs $200 to $400. Water softeners can help with hardness, and certain filters or treatment systems can address specific contaminants like arsenic and radon.
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 | 200 | 70% | High | High | |
| Manganese | 187 | 54% | High | High | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 37 | 30% | Moderate | High | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 41 | 20% | Moderate | High | |
| Radon | 8 | 12% | Low | Moderate ⓘ | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 16 | 12% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Arsenic | 82 | 7% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Lead | 93 | 2% | Moderate | Low | |
| Chloride | 200 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Fluoride | 126 | 0% | High | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 23 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Nitrate | 123 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Nitrite | 99 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 24 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Sulfate | 194 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Uranium | 6 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 195 | — | High | Low | |
| pH | 34 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 16 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Hardness | 31 | — | 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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