Well Water in Brown County: What to Test and Why

Groundwater in Brown County contains manganese, nitrite, and PFOA, all of which exceed EPA health standards and warrant attention. These are serious contaminants that well owners should be aware of.

Manganese and nitrite come from different sources. Manganese dissolves naturally from the rock layers as groundwater sits in contact with them over long periods. Nitrite points to bacterial breakdown of nitrogen, which can come from septic systems, agricultural activity, or other land-use sources in the area. PFOA is a synthetic industrial chemical that persists in the environment.

Groundwater in this county is hard, driven by elevated calcium and magnesium from the limestone and dolomite rock below. The same rock that produces hardness also releases iron at moderate levels. Hard water and moderate iron are common across wells throughout Brown County.

Wells in Brown County commonly contain manganese, nitrite, and PFOA at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Manganese can harm how children's brains develop and learn. Nitrite interferes with how blood carries oxygen through your body. PFOA is a human-made chemical that builds up in your body over time and has been linked to health problems including cancer and liver disease.

Wells in this county are very hard, meaning you will see thick white crusty buildup on faucets, showerheads, and inside pipes. Iron causes orange-brown staining on sinks, toilets, and laundry. Extremely hard water like this can shorten the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers. You may notice a metallic taste in the water.

We recommend testing your well because every well is different and yours may 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 it can be treated properly. Since multiple contaminants exceed health standards, a comprehensive metals and minerals panel is recommended and typically costs between $200 and $400. A water softener combined with an iron filter or reverse osmosis system can address these concerns.