Radon, iron, chloride, fluoride, lead, manganese, nitrate, and sulfate are present in Cass County groundwater. Several of these contaminants exceed EPA health standards and warrant attention.
The rock layers beneath Cass County naturally contain these elements. As water filters slowly through the soil and rock, it dissolves minerals like iron and picks up radon gas released from uranium in the stone. Chloride and sulfate accumulate where saltwater moves upward from deeper layers or where the rock itself contains salt deposits. Nitrate enters from agricultural and septic sources on the land surface and reaches the water below.
Groundwater in Cass County is soft with moderate iron and sodium as the main mineral drivers. The sandy and clay-rich rock of this region releases iron as water passes through, and sodium occurs naturally in the deeper water zones. Iron and sodium concentrations at these levels show up across many wells in the county.
Wells in Cass County commonly exceed EPA health standards for several contaminants. Chloride, fluoride, lead, and nitrate can harm your kidneys, bones, and developing children. Radon is a radioactive gas that increases lung cancer risk. Manganese damages the brain and nervous system, especially in infants and young children.
County well water is soft, so you will not see heavy mineral scale buildup. However, elevated iron creates orange or brown stains on fixtures and laundry. Sulfate can give water a bitter taste. Some wells have a metallic or sulfur smell from these minerals.
Every well in Cass County is different--yours could have much higher or lower levels than the county average. Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your water so you can treat it properly. We recommend a comprehensive metals and minerals panel to check for all these contaminants, which typically costs two hundred to four hundred dollars. Water softeners, carbon filters, and radon removal systems can address these problems once you know what you are dealing with.
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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Radon | 1 | 100% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Iron | 153 | 17% | High | High | |
| Chloride | 62 | 13% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Nitrate | 78 | 8% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Manganese | 93 | 5% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Lead | 80 | 2% | Moderate | Low | |
| Sulfate | 62 | 2% | Moderate | Low | |
| Fluoride | 264 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Arsenic | 85 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 19 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Nitrite | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 19 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 19 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 19 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 19 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Uranium | 19 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Sodium | 62 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| pH | 42 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 19 | — | Moderate | Safe | |
| Hardness | 62 | — | Moderate | 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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