Groundwater in Schoharie County contains iron, manganese, radon, chloride, and sulfate. Several of these contaminants exceed EPA health standards and warrant attention from well owners.
The limestone bedrock beneath this county naturally releases iron and manganese as water moves through it. Radon seeps in from radioactive elements in the rock. Chloride and sulfate enter from road salt and natural mineral dissolution in the carbonate rock.
This county's water is hard, driven by calcium and magnesium from the limestone below. The water also contains elevated iron and sodium. Hard water with moderate iron levels is the norm across most wells in this county.
Wells in Schoharie County commonly contain chloride, iron, manganese, radon, and sulfate at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Chloride and sulfate at high levels can harm your kidneys and digestive system over time. Radon is a radioactive gas that increases lung cancer risk. Manganese can affect your brain and nervous system development, especially in children. Iron itself is not toxic, but elevated levels matter for treatment planning.
County well water is hard, which means you'll likely see orange or brown staining on fixtures and in your laundry. Scale buildup inside pipes and appliances is common. Your water heater and dishwasher may have shorter lifespans because of the mineral content. Some people notice a metallic or sulfur taste in their water.
We recommend testing your well with a comprehensive metals and radon panel, since multiple contaminants exceed standards here. Every well is different, and your well may have higher or lower levels than what is common in the county. Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your water so it can be properly treated. A comprehensive panel typically costs between $200 and $400. Treatment options like radon mitigation systems, water softeners, and iron 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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iron | 25 | 48% | Moderate | High | |
| Manganese | 25 | 44% | Moderate | High | |
| Radon | 18 | 33% | Moderate | High ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 25 | 8% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Chloride | 25 | 4% | Moderate |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Arsenic | 23 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Fluoride | 24 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 5 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Lead | 23 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrate | 25 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrite | 19 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 5 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 5 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 5 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 5 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Uranium | 18 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| E. coli | 7* | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Fecal Coliform | 7* | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 25 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 5 | — | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| pH | 25 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Sodium | 25 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Total Coliform | 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.
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