Groundwater in Champaign County contains iron, manganese, nitrate, arsenic, lead, and radon. Several of these contaminants exceed EPA health standards, which is a serious concern that requires your attention.
These metals and radon come from the bedrock beneath the county. The rock contains natural radioactive elements and metals locked in its structure. As groundwater moves slowly through cracks and fractures, water dissolves iron and manganese directly from the stone. Nitrate comes from farm fertilizers that seep down through soil into the aquifer below. Arsenic and lead also occur naturally in the rock layers here.
Groundwater in this county is very hard, with calcium and magnesium dissolved from the limestone below. These minerals concentrate as water sits in contact with the carbonate rock over time. Hard water and elevated iron are widespread characteristics across most wells in Champaign County.
Arsenic, iron, lead, manganese, nitrate, and radon all exceed EPA health standards in wells across Champaign County. Arsenic is a poison that builds up in your body over years and can damage your kidneys and increase cancer risk. Lead harms brain development in children and can damage your nervous system. Radon is a radioactive gas that increases lung cancer risk with long-term exposure. Manganese at high levels can affect brain development. Nitrate poisoning can reduce your blood's ability to carry oxygen. Iron and these other metals together create a serious health situation.
Wells in this county are extremely hard, meaning thick white scale builds up on pipes, fixtures, and inside water heaters and dishwashers, shortening their lifespan. Iron causes orange-brown staining on sinks, toilets, and laundry. You may notice a metallic taste in your water. Sulfate at the levels found here can give water a bitter or unpleasant taste.
We recommend testing your well because every well is different and your water 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 well so it can be properly treated. A comprehensive metals and minerals panel typically costs $200-400. Treatment options include water softeners paired with iron removal systems and radon aeration.
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 | 173 | 41% | High | High | |
| Manganese | 158 | 35% | High | High | |
| Nitrate | 56 | 7% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Radon | 14 | 7% | Low | Moderate ⓘ | |
| Lead | 164 | 1% | High | Low | |
| Arsenic | 147 | 1% | High | Low | |
| Chloride | 1547 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Fluoride | 187 | 0% | High | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 4 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Nitrite | 51 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 4 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 4 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 4 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 4 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 106 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Uranium | 29 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| pH | 482 | — | High | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 4 | — | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 158 | — | High | Low | |
| E. coli | 4* | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Total Coliform | 4* | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 1457 | — | 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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