Groundwater in Montgomery County contains manganese, iron, nitrate, chloride, lead, radon, and sulfate. Several of these contaminants exceed EPA health standards and demand attention from well owners.
The limestone bedrock beneath this county naturally releases iron and manganese as water moves through it over time. Nitrate seeps in from fertilizers and septic systems in the surrounding land. Radon enters from the natural decay of radioactive minerals in the rock. Chloride and sulfate also dissolve from the limestone and can be concentrated by road salt and other sources.
Groundwater in this county is very hard, driven primarily by calcium and magnesium from the carbonate rock below. As water flows through limestone, it dissolves these minerals and carries them into wells. Very hard water is the norm across most wells in Montgomery County.
Wells in Montgomery County commonly exceed EPA health standards for chloride, iron, lead, manganese, nitrate, radon, and sulfate. Lead damages the brain and nervous system, particularly in children, and can harm kidney function. Nitrate poses serious risks to infants and pregnant women. Radon is a radioactive gas that increases lung cancer risk. Manganese can affect brain development and nervous system function in children. Chloride and sulfate at elevated levels can cause digestive problems.
The very hard water common in county wells can shorten the lifespan of water heaters, dishwashers, and other appliances. You may notice scale buildup on faucets and inside pipes, making cleaning more difficult. Some people detect a metallic or bitter taste in their water. Iron can leave orange or brown staining on fixtures and laundry.
Every well is different, and your well may have higher or lower levels than what is common across the county. We recommend a comprehensive metals and minerals panel to know exactly what is in your water so proper treatment can be put in place. Testing typically costs between $200 and $400. Treatment options range from iron filters and water softeners to radon mitigation systems, 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 | 106 | 39% | High | High | |
| Iron | 114 | 15% | High | Moderate | |
| Nitrate | 106 | 7% | High | Moderate | |
| Radon | 31 | 6% | Moderate | Moderate ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 109 | 6% | High | Moderate | |
| Chloride | 115 | 4% | High |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Lead | 24 | 4% | Moderate |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Arsenic | 24 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Fluoride | 107 | 0% | High | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Nitrite | 98 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Uranium | 15 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Total Coliform | 7* | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 107 | — | High | Low | |
| pH | 198 | — | High | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 8 | — | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 115 | — | High | 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.
Loading recent water news…