Groundwater in Barron County contains manganese, iron, arsenic, and nitrate. Manganese, arsenic, iron, and nitrate all exceed EPA health standards in this county's wells.
These contaminants come from the rock layers beneath the county. Water moving slowly through the mixed rocks picks up manganese and iron naturally. Arsenic also dissolves from minerals in the bedrock. Nitrate can enter from fertilizer and septic systems in the soil above.
Groundwater in this county is moderately hard, with calcium and magnesium driving that character. The moderate hardness comes from minerals in the rock that the water passes through. This characteristic shows up across many wells in the county.
Arsenic, iron, manganese, and nitrate are found at levels exceeding EPA health standards in wells across Barron County. Arsenic can damage skin and increase cancer risk over time. Manganese at elevated levels can affect how the brain works, especially in children. Nitrate can interfere with oxygen in the blood. Iron and manganese themselves do not directly cause health problems at the levels found here, but they are still worth monitoring.
The water in Barron County is moderately hard, which means you may notice white or chalky scale buildup on fixtures and inside pipes. Iron can leave rust-colored stains on sinks, toilets, and laundry. You might also taste a metallic flavor in your water. Moderately hard water can shorten the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers over time.
We recommend testing your well with a comprehensive metals and minerals panel, since multiple analytes exceed EPA standards in county wells. Every well is different, and your well 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. Treatment options like activated carbon filters or iron removal 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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manganese | 74 | 22% | Moderate | High | |
| Iron | 74 | 20% | Moderate | High | |
| Arsenic | 7 | 14% | Low | Moderate ⓘ | |
| Nitrate | 65 | 9% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Sulfate | 73 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Radon | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 22 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 22 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 22 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 22 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrite | 16 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Lead | 10 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 22 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Fluoride | 66 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Chloride | 75 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Hardness | 75 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Sodium | 55 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| pH | 82 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 22 | — | 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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