Well owners in Brown County should be aware of fluoride, iron, manganese, and nitrate in their groundwater. Several of these contaminants exceed EPA health standards, making them worth attention.
These contaminants come from two sources. Fluoride, iron, and manganese occur naturally in the rock layers beneath the county. Nitrate enters groundwater from fertilizers and septic systems in agricultural and residential areas.
Groundwater in this county is very hard, with elevated calcium and magnesium from the underlying rock, along with moderate levels of sodium and sulfate. The rock composition in this area naturally concentrates these minerals as water percolates downward. Most wells in Brown County show these hard-water characteristics.
Wells in Brown County commonly contain fluoride, iron, manganese, and nitrate at levels above EPA health standards. Fluoride at elevated levels can damage tooth enamel, especially in children. Manganese can affect the nervous system and cause learning problems in young children. Nitrate poses serious risks to infants and can interfere with oxygen in the blood. Iron itself is not a health concern at the levels found here, but these contaminants together warrant attention.
The very hard water in county wells creates annoying everyday problems. Iron and manganese leave reddish or brownish stains on clothes, fixtures, and surfaces that are hard to remove. Hard water causes buildup and scale inside pipes and appliances like water heaters and dishwashers, which can shorten their lifespan. You may notice a metallic or unpleasant taste and odor, and soap does not work as well for cleaning.
We recommend testing your well water since 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 properly treated. A comprehensive metals and minerals panel typically costs $200-400 and will show you exactly what you are dealing with. Treatment options like whole-house filters, softeners, or reverse osmosis systems can address 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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iron | 41 | 12% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Nitrate | 9 | 11% | Low | Moderate ⓘ | |
| Manganese | 26 | 4% | Moderate |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Fluoride | 889 | 2% | High | Low | |
| Arsenic | 18 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Chloride | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 13 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| Lead | 18 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrite | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 13 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 13 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 13 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 13 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| Radon | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Uranium | 5 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Total Coliform | 1* | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 1 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| pH | 1 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 13 | — | Low | Safe | |
| Hardness | 1 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| E. coli | 1* | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ |
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.
Loading recent water news…