Groundwater in Steele County contains iron, arsenic, and lead at levels that exceed EPA health standards and require attention. These contaminants are present at concerning concentrations that warrant testing and treatment consideration for private well owners.
The limestone bedrock beneath Steele County naturally contains iron and arsenic, which dissolve into groundwater as it moves through the rock. Lead typically enters from plumbing materials in older wells and homes rather than from the rock itself. Agricultural land use in this farming region can also contribute to arsenic movement in some areas.
Groundwater in Steele County is very hard, driven by elevated calcium and magnesium from the limestone bedrock below. The high iron content adds to this mineral character as water passes through the rock layers. These characteristics are widespread across the county's wells, making them common features of water from this area.
Wells in Steele County have been found to contain arsenic, iron, and lead at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Arsenic is a poison that can build up in your body over time and increase the risk of cancer and other serious illnesses. Lead is especially dangerous for children and can harm brain development and learning. Iron does not pose a health risk at the levels found in county wells, but it is included here because it appears alongside these other contaminants.
The very hard water in this county creates real problems for daily life. Hard water leaves spots on dishes and makes soap less effective for cleaning. It causes scale buildup inside pipes and appliances, which can shorten the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers. The high iron in county wells stains clothes, fixtures, and anything the water touches with reddish-brown marks that are difficult to remove.
We recommend testing your well to find out what is actually in your water, since every well is different and your water could have higher or lower levels than the county average. Testing is the only way to know what needs to be treated. A comprehensive metals and minerals panel typically costs $200 to $400 and will tell you exactly what you are dealing with. Depending on your results, treatment options like water softeners or iron filters can help address these problems.
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 | 127 | 96% | High | High | |
| Manganese | 112 | 55% | High | High | |
| Arsenic | 106 | 9% | High | Moderate | |
| Lead | 106 | 1% | High | Low | |
| Chloride | 127 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Fluoride | 122 | 0% | High | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 11 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| Nitrate | 18 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 11 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 11 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 11 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 11 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| Sulfate | 122 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Hardness | 9 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 11 | — | Low | Safe | |
| pH | 9 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 122 | — | 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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