Groundwater in Oconto County contains iron, arsenic, and chloride. Iron levels in this county's wells exceed EPA health standards, while arsenic and chloride are detected but remain below health benchmarks.
Iron dissolves naturally from the rock layers beneath the county. The mixed composition of local bedrock releases iron into the water as it moves slowly underground. Arsenic and chloride also occur naturally in these rock formations.
Groundwater in this county is very hard, driven primarily by calcium and magnesium from the underlying rock. This extreme hardness develops because water moving through the bedrock dissolves these minerals over time. Very hard water is extremely common across wells in Oconto County.
Iron at elevated levels is found in wells across Oconto County. Exposure to high iron over time can affect your health, though the exact risks depend on how much you drink and for how long. Arsenic is also present in some county wells and poses serious health concerns with long-term exposure. Testing your well is the best way to understand what you're actually drinking.
County well water is very hard, which causes practical problems in daily life. You'll likely see white, crusty scale buildup on faucets, showerheads, and inside pipes. Iron causes orange or rust-colored staining on sinks, toilets, and laundry. Very hard water can shorten the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers. You may also notice that soap doesn't work as well and your laundry feels stiff.
We recommend testing your well water, since every well is different and yours may have higher or lower levels than what's common in the county. A comprehensive metals and minerals panel costs about $200 to $400 and will show exactly what's in your water. Testing is the only way to know what treatment your well actually needs. Water softeners and iron filters can address these issues 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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iron | 45 | 40% | Moderate | High | |
| Arsenic | 13 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| Chloride | 45 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Fluoride | 42 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 12 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| Lead | 13 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| Manganese | 45 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrate | 32 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrite | 28 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 12 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 12 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 12 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 12 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| Radon | 4 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 45 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Uranium | 10 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| Hardness | 45 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 12 | — | Low | Low | |
| pH | 39 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Sodium | 28 | — | 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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