Groundwater in Cumberland County contains PFOS, PFOA, and manganese at levels that exceed EPA drinking water standards. Iron and PFHXS also exceed health standards in this county's wells.
These contaminants come from different sources. PFOS and PFOA are human-made chemicals used in industrial processes and consumer products that have entered groundwater through disposal and spills. Manganese and iron occur naturally in the sand and clay layers that make up the aquifer here, dissolving into water as it moves through the sediment.
Groundwater in this county is soft with low iron, sodium, and sulfate levels overall. The sand and clay formations typical of this region do not naturally concentrate minerals the way limestone does in other areas. These soft-water characteristics are common across wells throughout Cumberland County.
Wells in Cumberland County contain iron, manganese, and PFAS chemicals (PFOA, PFOS, and PFHXS) at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Iron and manganese are metals that can cause problems with your blood and organs over time. PFAS chemicals are man-made substances that don't break down in the environment or your body, and they can build up with long-term exposure and affect your liver, immune system, and other organs.
The good news is that Cumberland County wells are soft and low in sodium, so you probably won't see staining, scale buildup, or taste problems from minerals. Your water heater and appliances should not wear out faster than normal from mineral deposits.
Since multiple contaminants exceed health standards in this county's wells, we recommend a comprehensive water test to find out what is actually in your well. Every well is different, and your water could have higher or lower levels than what is common here. A comprehensive metals and PFAS panel typically costs between $200 and $400. Iron and manganese can be removed with filters, and activated carbon treatment can help with PFAS chemicals.
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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 118 | 67% | High | High | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 118 | 64% | High | High | |
| Manganese | 10 | 30% | Low | High | |
| Iron | 11 | 27% | Low | High | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 118 | 26% | High | High | |
| Chloride | 11 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| Fluoride | 11 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 118 | 0% | High | Safe | |
| Nitrate | 11 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 118 | 0% | High | Safe | |
| Sulfate | 11 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| Sodium | 8 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| pH | 11 | — | Low | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 118 | — | High | Low | |
| Hardness | 11 | — | Low | 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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