Groundwater in Erie County contains manganese, iron, radon, sulfate, arsenic, chloride, lead, and nitrate. Several of these contaminants exceed EPA health standards and warrant attention from well owners.
These contaminants come from the mixed rock beneath the county. Iron and manganese dissolve naturally as water moves through these rocks underground. Radon seeps in from radioactive minerals in the bedrock. Sulfate, arsenic, chloride, and nitrate can come from both natural rock sources and from land use--including road salt, fertilizer, and septic systems.
Groundwater in this county is very hard, driven by elevated calcium and magnesium that dissolve from the rock as water passes through it. The non-carbonate mixed rock here also contributes iron, which adds to the mineral character of the water. Most wells in the county show these hard-water characteristics, though the exact levels vary from well to well.
Wells in Erie County commonly exceed EPA health standards for multiple contaminants. Arsenic, lead, and radon are radioactive or toxic metals that can damage organs and increase cancer risk, especially with long-term exposure. Nitrate harms infants and can affect how the body uses oxygen. Sulfate and chloride at elevated levels can cause digestive problems. Manganese affects brain development in children.
County well water is very hard, which means scale buildup on fixtures, pipes, and inside appliances like water heaters and dishwashers--shortening their lifespan. Iron stains sinks, toilets, and laundry orange-brown. You may notice a metallic or bitter taste in the water, and soap becomes less effective for cleaning.
We recommend a comprehensive metals and minerals panel to find out what is actually in your well, since every well is different and yours may have higher or lower levels than what is common here. Testing is the only way to know what needs treatment. A comprehensive panel typically costs $200-400. Treatment options like water softeners, radon mitigation systems, and point-of-use filters can address these concerns.
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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manganese | 189 | 47% | High | High | |
| Iron | 197 | 25% | High | High | |
| Radon | 29 | 10% | Moderate | Moderate ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 273 | 10% | High | Moderate | |
| Chloride | 295 | 9% | High | Moderate | |
| Lead | 186 | 5% | High | Moderate | |
| Nitrate | 190 | 2% | High | Low | |
| Arsenic | 170 | 1% | High | Low | |
| Fluoride | 189 | 0% | High | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 38 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Nitrite | 178 | 0% | High | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 38 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 38 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 38 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 38 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Uranium | 32 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Total Coliform | 15* | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Sodium | 209 | — | High | Low | |
| pH | 370 | — | High | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 38 | — | Moderate | Safe | |
| Hardness | 288 | — | High | Low | |
| Fecal Coliform | 15* | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| E. coli | 15* | 0% | Moderate | 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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