Radon, arsenic, iron, and manganese are present in Rensselaer County groundwater and well owners should be aware of all four. Arsenic, iron, manganese, and radon all exceed EPA health standards in this county, making them serious concerns that require testing.
The rock beneath Rensselaer County naturally contains radioactive elements that release radon into groundwater. Iron and manganese dissolve from the surrounding rock as water moves through it underground. Arsenic also occurs naturally in some areas of the county's bedrock.
Groundwater in this county is hard, driven by elevated calcium and magnesium from the bedrock. Hard water develops as rainwater slowly travels through rock layers and picks up these minerals over time. Hard water is common across wells throughout Rensselaer County.
Wells in Rensselaer County commonly contain arsenic, radon, iron, and manganese at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Arsenic can damage organs and increase cancer risk over many years of exposure. Radon is a radioactive gas that enters the body through breathing and can cause lung cancer with long-term exposure. Manganese at high levels can affect the nervous system and cause problems with movement and learning.
The county's well water is hard, which means you may see reddish or brownish staining on fixtures and in your laundry. Scale can build up inside pipes and on appliances. Hard water reduces how well soap works and can shorten the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers. You might notice a metallic or bitter taste in the water.
Every well in this county is different, and your well may have higher or lower levels of these contaminants than what is common here. Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your well so you can treat it properly. We recommend a comprehensive metals and radon panel, which typically costs $200-400. Treatment options include radon aeration systems and activated carbon filters for metals removal.
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 | 17 | 59% | Moderate | High ⓘ | |
| Manganese | 23 | 48% | Moderate | High | |
| Iron | 23 | 13% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Arsenic | 21 | 5% | Moderate |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Chloride | 23 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Fluoride | 23 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 26 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Lead | 21 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrate | 23 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrite | 19 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 26 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 26 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 26 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 26 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Sulfate | 23 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Uranium | 15 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| E. coli | 5* | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Fecal Coliform | 5* | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 23 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 26 | — | Moderate | Safe | |
| pH | 24 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Sodium | 23 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Total Coliform | 5* | 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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