Groundwater in Sherburne County contains iron, sulfate, and arsenic. Iron and sulfate levels exceed EPA health standards, which means well owners should test their water and consider treatment options.
Iron and sulfate enter the groundwater naturally from the rock layers beneath the county. As water moves slowly through these rocks over many years, it dissolves minerals and picks up these elements. Arsenic also occurs naturally in some of the rock and soil in this region.
Groundwater in this county is hard, driven by elevated calcium and magnesium from the rock below. The moderate iron level adds to the mineral character of the water. Hard water and moderate iron are common across wells in Sherburne County.
Wells in Sherburne County commonly have iron and sulfate at levels above EPA health standards. Iron can cause problems with your blood and organs over time. Sulfate at high levels can affect digestion and cause diarrhea, especially in infants and people with certain health conditions.
Hard water is common in this county's wells and can leave stains on fixtures and dishes. The mineral buildup can create scale inside pipes and water heaters, which shortens the lifespan of appliances like dishwashers and water heaters. You may notice a metallic taste or rust-colored staining from the iron in the water.
We recommend getting your well tested since every well is different and yours 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 water so you can treat it properly. A comprehensive metals and minerals panel costs between $200 and $400 and can identify exactly what needs attention. Iron removal systems and water softeners are common treatments for these concerns.
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 | 253 | 39% | High | High | |
| Iron | 351 | 32% | High | High | |
| Nitrate | 309 | 20% | High | High | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 39 | 5% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Arsenic | 237 | 3% | High |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 40 | 2% | Moderate | Low | |
| Chloride | 427 | 1% | High | Low | |
| Lead | 235 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Nitrite | 284 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Fluoride | 316 | 0% | High | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 40 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 32 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 40 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Sulfate | 413 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Uranium | 176 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Hardness | 188 | — | High | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 32 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| pH | 345 | — | High | Low | |
| Sodium | 346 | — | 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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