Greene County's groundwater contains manganese, radon, iron, arsenic, chloride, nitrate, and PFOS. Several of these contaminants exceed EPA health standards and warrant attention from well owners.
These contaminants come from different sources. Radon seeps from radioactive elements naturally present in the carbonate rock beneath the county. Iron and manganese dissolve from that same rock as water moves through it underground. Nitrate and chloride often enter from agricultural land use and road salt application. PFOS and arsenic can come from industrial sources or naturally occurring deposits.
Groundwater in this county is soft, with low iron levels and moderate sodium. The carbonate rock naturally contributes calcium, which typically builds hardness, but the low iron measured here shows that metal concentrations remain limited across most wells. These soft-water characteristics are widespread in Greene County.
Wells in Greene County commonly contain radon, arsenic, chloride, nitrate, and PFOS at levels above EPA health standards. Radon is a radioactive gas that can damage your lungs over time. Arsenic and PFOS are chemicals that can harm your kidneys, liver, and immune system with long-term exposure. Nitrate is especially dangerous for infants and can interfere with how blood carries oxygen.
The mineral content in county wells is generally soft, which is good news for your pipes and appliances. However, some wells show moderate sodium levels, which can be a concern for people on sodium-restricted diets. You may notice a slightly salty taste in your water, though this varies from well to well.
We recommend testing your well because every well is different and yours may have higher or lower levels than what is common here. Since multiple contaminants exceed health standards, a comprehensive metals and radon panel is a good choice and typically costs between $200 and $400. Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your water so you can treat it properly. Iron filters, water softeners, and radon mitigation systems are available depending on what testing shows.
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 | 70 | 44% | Moderate | High | |
| Radon | 10 | 40% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Iron | 70 | 21% | Moderate | High | |
| Chloride | 72 | 12% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 18 | 11% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Arsenic | 17 | 6% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Nitrate | 58 | 2% | Moderate | Low | |
| Fluoride | 60 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 18 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Lead | 24 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrite | 51 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 18 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 18 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 18 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Sulfate | 70 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Uranium | 10 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| Total Coliform | 3* | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 61 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| pH | 66 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 18 | — | Moderate | Safe | |
| Hardness | 61 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Fecal Coliform | 3* | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| E. coli | 3* | 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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