Groundwater in Allegany County contains radon, manganese, iron, arsenic, chloride, and sulfate--all at levels that exceed EPA health standards. These contaminants are serious enough to require testing and treatment.
The fractured rock beneath this county naturally releases radon gas and allows water to dissolve iron and manganese as it moves slowly underground. Road salt applied to highways enters the water as chloride. Arsenic occurs naturally in certain rock layers, and sulfate concentrations build up where water sits in low-oxygen conditions deep below the surface.
Groundwater in this county is hard, driven by calcium and magnesium in the bedrock, with elevated iron contributing to the overall mineral character. As water passes through the mixed rock layers here, it picks up these minerals over time. Hard water with moderate iron is common across wells in this county.
Allegany County wells commonly exceed EPA health standards for manganese, arsenic, chloride, and radon. Manganese exposure can harm brain development in children and affect nervous system function in adults. Arsenic builds up in the body over time and increases cancer risk. Radon is a radioactive gas that enters water from the bedrock and increases lung cancer risk when you breathe it in. Chloride at elevated levels can affect kidney function and is a concern for people on sodium-restricted diets.
County well water is hard, which means white scale builds up inside pipes, water heaters, and dishwashers and can shorten their lifespan. The moderate iron levels cause orange-brown stains on sinks, toilets, and laundry. Many residents notice a metallic or bitter taste in their drinking water. Hard water also makes soap less effective and can leave your skin feeling dry.
We recommend a comprehensive metals and minerals panel to find out exactly what is in your well, since every well is different and yours may have higher or lower levels than what is common in the county. Testing is the only way to know what you are dealing with so it can be treated properly. A comprehensive panel typically costs $200-400. Treatment options like water softeners and radon aeration systems can address multiple 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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Radon | 36 | 69% | Moderate | High ⓘ | |
| Manganese | 69 | 51% | Moderate | High | |
| Iron | 83 | 42% | Moderate | High | |
| Arsenic | 48 | 12% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Sulfate | 87 | 1% | Moderate | Low | |
| Chloride | 122 | 1% | High | Low | |
| Fluoride | 67 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 10 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| Lead | 48 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrate | 82 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrite | 39 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 10 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 10 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 10 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 10 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| Uranium | 35 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Total Coliform | 13* | 0% | Low | Low | |
| Sodium | 78 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| pH | 86 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 10 | — | Low | Safe | |
| Hardness | 87 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Fecal Coliform | 13* | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| E. coli | 13* | 0% | Low | Safe |
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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