Groundwater in Forest County contains radon, manganese, iron, arsenic, and nitrate. Several of these contaminants exceed EPA health standards, making testing important for well owners in this area.
These contaminants come from the bedrock beneath the county. The mixed rock layers here naturally contain radioactive minerals that release radon gas, and they also dissolve iron, manganese, and arsenic into the water as it moves slowly through cracks and pores. Nitrate can come from both natural sources and agricultural activity on the land above.
Groundwater in this county is moderately hard, driven by elevated calcium and magnesium from the bedrock below. Iron and manganese are the minerals that give the water its character at levels that show up across many wells in the area. These minerals concentrate in the water as it sits in contact with iron-rich and manganese-rich rock layers underground.
Wells in Forest County commonly exceed EPA health standards for arsenic, iron, manganese, nitrate, and radon. Arsenic is a poison that builds up in your body over time and can cause skin problems, bladder cancer, and lung cancer. Radon is a radioactive gas that enters water from rocks underground--breathing radon gas from tap water increases your risk of lung cancer. Manganese and nitrate also pose health risks with long-term exposure. Iron at elevated levels can affect blood oxygen levels.
The water in this county is moderately hard, which means you may notice white, crusty scale buildup on fixtures and inside appliances like water heaters and dishwashers. Hard water can shorten the lifespan of these appliances. Iron causes orange or rust-colored staining on sinks, toilets, and laundry. You may notice a metallic or unpleasant taste in the water as well.
We recommend testing your well water with a comprehensive metals and minerals panel, since multiple analytes exceed health standards. 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 aeration systems and activated carbon filters can address these contaminants.
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 | 14 | 29% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Manganese | 108 | 27% | High | High | |
| Iron | 108 | 19% | High | High | |
| Nitrate | 98 | 3% | Moderate |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Arsenic | 63 | 2% | Moderate | Low | |
| Chloride | 125 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Fluoride | 105 | 0% | High | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Lead | 63 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrite | 85 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFHxS | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFNA | 9 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOA | 9 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFOS | 9 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 126 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Uranium | 29 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| E. coli | 113* | 0% | High | Low | |
| Hardness | 126 | — | High | Low | |
| PFBS | 8 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| pH | 122 | — | High | Low | |
| Sodium | 120 | — | 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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