Well owners in Monroe County need to be aware of arsenic, chloride, iron, manganese, radon, and sulfate in their groundwater. Several of these contaminants exceed EPA health standards and warrant immediate attention.
The bedrock and soils beneath Monroe County contain minerals and radioactive elements that naturally dissolve into groundwater. Iron and manganese come from minerals in the underlying rock. Radon enters from uranium decay deep underground. Chloride and sulfate also leach from rock layers as water moves through them.
Monroe County groundwater is very hard, with elevated calcium and magnesium, combined with very high iron and moderate sulfate and sodium. The underlying rock dissolves these minerals as water passes through it over time. Most wells across the county show these hard-water and mineral characteristics.
Wells in Monroe County commonly exceed EPA health standards for arsenic, chloride, radon, and sulfate. Arsenic is toxic and can damage organs and increase cancer risk with long-term exposure. Radon is a radioactive gas that enters the lungs and raises the risk of lung cancer. Chloride and sulfate at elevated levels can affect people with certain health conditions, including heart disease and kidney problems.
The very hard water in county wells creates visible and practical problems in your home. You will see orange or rust-colored staining on fixtures, toilets, and laundry. White scale builds up inside pipes, water heaters, and appliances like dishwashers. Hard water this severe shortens the lifespan of water heaters and other appliances. Soap does not lather well, leaving a film on skin and clothes.
We recommend a comprehensive water test to find out what is actually in your well, since every well is different and yours could have higher or lower levels than the county average. Testing is the only way to know what needs treatment. A comprehensive metals and minerals panel typically costs two hundred to four hundred dollars. Depending on your results, treatment options might include radon aeration systems and water softeners for hardness.
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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iron | 506 | 77% | High | High | |
| Radon | 17 | 47% | Moderate | High ⓘ | |
| Manganese | 63 | 37% | Moderate | High | |
| Arsenic | 30 | 17% | Moderate | High | |
| Chloride | 1288 | 10% | High | Moderate | |
| Sulfate | 1282 | 3% | High | Low | |
| Fluoride | 36 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 38 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Lead | 30 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrate | 47 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrite | 22 | 0% | Moderate | 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 | 17 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Total Coliform | 8* | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 1278 | — | High | Low | |
| pH | 1271 | — | High | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 38 | — | Moderate | Safe | |
| Hardness | 1272 | — | High | Low | |
| Fecal Coliform | 8* | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| E. coli | 8* | 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.
Loading recent water news…