Manganese, pfoa, radon, and several other contaminants are present in Bergen County groundwater at levels that exceed EPA health standards. These elevated levels require attention from well owners in the area.
Bergen County sits on fractured rock that naturally releases manganese and iron into groundwater. Industrial and urban land use has introduced pfoa, pfos, and other human-made chemicals into the water supply. Road salt applied to highways and parking lots contributes chloride and sulfate to the groundwater system. Radon seeps from radioactive elements in the bedrock itself.
Groundwater in Bergen County is very hard, driven by elevated calcium and magnesium that dissolve from the rock as water moves underground. Moderate iron and sodium levels add to this mineral signature. These characteristics show up across many wells throughout the county, making them a widespread feature of the area's water.
Wells in Bergen County commonly exceed EPA health standards for chloride, sulfate, PFOA, PFOS, PFHXS, PFNA, uranium, radon, nitrite, iron, and manganese. Chloride and sulfate at elevated levels can harm your kidneys and digestive system over time. PFOA, PFOS, and related chemicals are linked to serious health effects including cancer, thyroid problems, and immune system damage. Uranium and radon are radioactive and increase cancer risk. Nitrite can interfere with how your blood carries oxygen. Iron and manganese can damage your nervous system and organs with long-term exposure.
Bergen County wells are very hard, which causes real problems in daily life. You will see rust-colored staining on clothes, dishes, and fixtures from iron and manganese. Your water may taste salty, metallic, or bitter. Scale builds up on faucets, showerheads, and inside pipes. Very hard water shortens the lifespan of water heaters, dishwashers, and washing machines by years.
We recommend a comprehensive metals and minerals panel to find out what is actually in your well, since every well is different and yours could have higher or lower levels than what is common in the county. Testing is the only way to know what needs treatment. A comprehensive panel typically costs $200 to $400. Treatment options include reverse osmosis filters, water softeners, and activated carbon filters depending on your specific 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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 192 | 73% | High | High | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 191 | 49% | High | High | |
| Radon | 32 | 12% | Moderate | Moderate ⓘ | |
| Chloride | 209 | 10% | High | Moderate | |
| Manganese | 187 | 9% | High | Moderate | |
| Lead | 159 | 7% | High | Moderate | |
| Iron | 187 | 5% | High | Moderate | |
| Uranium | 44 | 5% | Moderate |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Arsenic | 72 | 4% | Moderate |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Sulfate | 209 | 3% | High | Low | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 189 | 1% | High | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 191 | 1% | High | Low | |
| Nitrate | 209 | 1% | High | Low | |
| Nitrite | 188 | 0% | High | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 192 | 0% | High | Safe | |
| Fluoride | 188 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Hardness | 202 | — | High | Low | |
| Sodium | 195 | — | High | Low | |
| pH | 230 | — | High | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 191 | — | 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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