Well water in Delaware County contains radon, pfoa, and manganese at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Iron also appears at moderate levels throughout the county.
Radon seeps into groundwater naturally from radioactive minerals in the fractured rock beneath the area. Pfoa and pfos come from industrial sources, likely from past manufacturing or land use. Manganese and iron dissolve into the water as it passes through the surrounding rock layers.
Groundwater in this county is soft with moderate iron as the main aesthetic characteristic. The mixed rock types here release iron slowly as water moves through them over time. These soft-water conditions are widespread across wells in Delaware County.
Wells in Delaware County show iron, manganese, PFOA, PFOS, and radon at levels exceeding EPA health standards. Iron and manganese can affect nervous system development and organ function over time. PFOA and PFOS are industrial chemicals linked to health concerns including liver damage and immune system effects. Radon is a radioactive gas that enters water from natural decay in bedrock and poses cancer risk when breathed in from water.
The good news is that Delaware County wells are soft, so you won't see heavy white scale buildup or shortened appliance lifespan from hardness. However, the moderate iron present can cause reddish-brown staining on fixtures and laundry. Some people notice a metallic taste or odor in their water from iron and manganese. These stains are difficult to remove but are mainly a nuisance rather than a health concern.
We recommend testing your well water with a comprehensive metals and radon panel, since multiple contaminants exceed EPA standards in this county. Every well is different, and 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 panel typically costs $200 to $400 and can include iron filters, water softeners, or radon aeration systems depending on what testing reveals.
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 | 28 | 57% | Moderate | High ⓘ | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 8 | 50% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Manganese | 54 | 28% | Moderate | High | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 8 | 25% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Iron | 56 | 14% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Arsenic | 44 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Chloride | 58 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Fluoride | 55 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Lead | 44 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrate | 55 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrite | 31 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 56 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Uranium | 28 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Total Coliform | 6* | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 53 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| pH | 62 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 8 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 55 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Fecal Coliform | 7* | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| E. coli | 7* | 0% | 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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