Groundwater in Burnett County contains manganese, iron, and lead. Iron and lead exceed EPA health standards, as does manganese, which shows moderate concern levels.
These metals come from the mixed rock types beneath the county. Water slowly dissolves iron and manganese from the rock as it sits underground. Lead can enter from older pipes or plumbing materials in individual wells.
Groundwater in this county is moderately hard, driven by moderate iron and moderate hardness. The rock composition here naturally releases these minerals into the water. Moderate hardness and iron appear in wells across the county.
Iron, lead, and manganese show up at levels above EPA health standards in Burnett County wells. Iron can cause problems with organs over time. Lead harms brain development in children and can damage kidneys in adults. Manganese affects how the brain develops and functions, especially in young children. These metals enter groundwater from natural rock and soil.
County well water is moderately hard. Iron can stain clothes, sinks, and toilets with rust-colored marks. You might notice a metallic or bitter taste in your water. Hard water leaves white scale buildup on fixtures and can shorten the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers over time.
We recommend testing your well because every well is different and yours could 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 panel typically costs $200 to $400. Treatment options like aeration systems or activated carbon filters can help remove these metals once you know your results.
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 | 46 | 48% | Moderate | High | |
| Iron | 65 | 42% | Moderate | High | |
| Lead | 25 | 16% | Moderate | High | |
| Sulfate | 66 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Radon | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFOS | 9 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOA | 9 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFNA | 9 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFHxS | 9 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Nitrite | 32 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrate | 40 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) | 9 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Fluoride | 60 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Chloride | 68 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Arsenic | 27 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS | 9 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 68 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Sodium | 33 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| pH | 65 | — | 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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