Groundwater in Montgomery County contains arsenic, pfos, iron, manganese, and chloride. Several of these contaminants exceed EPA health standards and should be taken seriously by well owners.
These contaminants come from two sources. Arsenic, iron, and manganese occur naturally in the sandy and clay layers beneath the county, dissolving into groundwater as it moves slowly underground. Pfos and chloride enter groundwater from human activities--pfos from industrial use and firefighting materials, and chloride from road salt and septic systems.
Groundwater in this county is soft, with moderate iron being the main mineral characteristic. The sandy aquifer layers release iron into the water as it passes through. Iron shows up in many wells across Montgomery County, though levels and presence vary from well to well.
Wells in Montgomery County contain several contaminants that exceed EPA health standards. Arsenic, chloride, and PFOS are inorganic and synthetic chemicals linked to serious health concerns including cancer risk, kidney and thyroid problems, and immune system effects. Manganese can affect the brain and nervous system, particularly in children and infants. Iron at elevated levels can cause problems with oxygen transport in the body. Testing is the only way to know what is in your specific well.
The moderate iron levels found in county wells can cause staining on fixtures, laundry, and dishes. You might notice a metallic or bitter taste in your water. Iron can also build up inside pipes and reduce water flow over time. The good news is that wells in this county have soft water, which means you will not experience scale buildup or shortened appliance lifespans from mineral deposits.
We recommend testing your well with a comprehensive metals and chemicals panel, since multiple contaminants exceed health standards in this county. Every well is different, and your well may have higher or lower levels than what is common here. Testing costs between $200 and $400 and is the only way to know what treatment your water actually needs. Treatment options like activated carbon filters or ion exchange systems can address many of 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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 8 | 50% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Arsenic | 2 | 50% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Iron | 32 | 34% | Moderate | High | |
| Manganese | 31 | 16% | Moderate | High | |
| Chloride | 31 | 6% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Fluoride | 31 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Lead | 2 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Nitrate | 31 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrite | 2 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Radon | 2 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 31 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Uranium | 2 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 31 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 8 | — | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| pH | 32 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Sodium | 18 | — | 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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