Iron, manganese, and lead are present in Vilas County groundwater at levels that exceed EPA health standards. These contaminant levels are concerning and warrant testing and treatment.
The bedrock beneath this county contains iron-rich rock, and as groundwater slowly moves through cracks and spaces in the stone, iron and manganese dissolve into the water. Lead also occurs naturally in the local rock layers. Nitrate can seep in from surface sources like fertilizer and septic systems.
Groundwater in this county is soft with moderate iron, meaning iron is the main mineral that stands out. Iron dissolves from the bedrock as water passes through over time. Many wells across Vilas County show this same elevated iron.
Wells in this county contain iron, lead, manganese, and nitrate at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Lead damages children's brain development and can harm kidneys and the nervous system in people of all ages. Manganese at elevated levels can affect the nervous system and brain development, especially in children. Iron at these concentrations can cause problems with blood and organ function. Nitrate is dangerous for infants and can interfere with oxygen in the blood.
Iron in county well water causes orange-brown staining on clothes, fixtures, and laundry. You may notice a metallic or bitter taste in your water. The water here is soft, so you won't deal with heavy scale buildup on pipes and appliances like you would with very hard water.
We recommend a comprehensive water test since multiple contaminants exceed health standards in this county. Every well is different--your well may have higher or lower levels than what is common here. Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your water so it can be properly treated. A comprehensive metals and minerals panel runs about two hundred to four hundred dollars. Iron removal systems and treatment for nitrate can address these problems.
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 | 348 | 44% | High | High | |
| Manganese | 342 | 28% | High | High | |
| Lead | 59 | 2% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrate | 244 | 1% | High | Low | |
| Arsenic | 56 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Chloride | 272 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Fluoride | 252 | 0% | High | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Nitrite | 110 | 0% | High | Low | |
| PFHxS | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFNA | 8 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFOA | 8 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFOS | 8 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Radon | 4 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 265 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Uranium | 2 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 348 | — | High | Low | |
| PFBS | 8 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| pH | 418 | — | High | Low | |
| Sodium | 339 | — | 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.
Loading recent water news…