Groundwater in Redwood County contains iron, arsenic, manganese, fluoride, and chloride that well owners should monitor. Several of these contaminants exceed EPA health standards, making water testing important for your household.
These contaminants come from the rock layers beneath the county. Iron and manganese naturally dissolve from the rock into groundwater over time. Arsenic is present in some of the local rock formations and releases into water as it moves underground. Fluoride and chloride also occur naturally in these rock layers.
Groundwater in this county is very hard, driven by high levels of calcium and magnesium in the rock below, along with elevated iron and sulfate. The bedrock in this area releases these minerals as water flows through it. Hard water with iron and sulfate is widespread across wells throughout Redwood County.
Wells in Redwood County commonly have arsenic, chloride, fluoride, iron, and manganese at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Arsenic exposure increases the risk of cancer and can harm the kidneys, heart, and nervous system. Fluoride at high levels can damage bones and teeth. Iron and manganese at elevated levels can affect the brain and nervous system, especially in children. Chloride at high concentrations can cause problems for people with high blood pressure or heart disease.
The very hard water in county wells leaves stubborn stains on fixtures and dishes. Scale builds up inside pipes and reduces water flow over time. The water tastes salty and metallic. This extreme hardness shortens the lifespan of water heaters, dishwashers, and washing machines. You may notice a rotten egg smell from sulfate in the water.
We recommend testing your well with a comprehensive metals and minerals panel, which costs between $200 and $400. Every well is different, and your water could have higher or lower levels than what is common in the county. Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your well so you can get it treated properly. Treatment options like reverse osmosis, ion exchange, or activated carbon can address these contaminants depending on what testing shows.
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 | 213 | 67% | High | High | |
| Iron | 221 | 64% | High | High | |
| Sulfate | 248 | 61% | High | High | |
| Arsenic | 142 | 29% | High | High | |
| Chloride | 271 | 7% | High | Moderate | |
| Nitrate | 140 | 6% | High | Moderate | |
| Lead | 142 | 2% | High | Low | |
| Fluoride | 206 | 1% | High | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 7 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Nitrite | 88 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 4 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 7 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 7 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 7 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 79 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 4 | — | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| pH | 104 | — | High | Low | |
| Sodium | 221 | — | High | 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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