Groundwater in Sullivan County contains radon, manganese, and iron as the primary contaminants detected. Several of these--arsenic, iron, manganese, and radon--exceed EPA health standards at concerning levels.
These contaminants come from the carbonate rock beneath the county. Radon seeps naturally from radioactive minerals in the limestone and surrounding stone. Arsenic, iron, and manganese dissolve into groundwater when slightly acidic rainwater moves through these rocks and sits in low-oxygen zones underground.
Groundwater in Sullivan County is soft, with moderate iron being the main mineral of note. The carbonate rock contributes some iron and manganese that dissolve into the water as it flows through cracks in the stone. These mineral characteristics appear across many wells in this county.
Wells in Sullivan County commonly exceed EPA health standards for arsenic, radon, manganese, iron, and PFNA and PFOA. Arsenic builds up in your body over time and can damage your kidneys and increase cancer risk. Radon is a radioactive gas that enters your lungs and raises the risk of lung cancer with long-term exposure. Manganese affects nervous system development, particularly in children. Iron itself is not a direct health concern, but iron bacteria can grow in wells and cause problems.
The mineral content in county wells is actually favorable for quality of life. Your water is soft, so you should not see heavy white scale buildup on pipes or inside appliances. You may notice some reddish-brown staining from iron, and some people detect a metallic taste, but these are minor compared to hard water areas. Overall, the mineral levels here should not shorten the lifespan of your water heater or dishwasher.
We recommend testing your well with a comprehensive metals and radon panel, since multiple contaminants exceed EPA standards in this county. Every well is different, and your water could have higher or lower levels than what is common here--testing is the only way to know what is actually in your well so it can be properly treated. A comprehensive panel typically costs between $200 and $400. Treatment options like activated carbon filters and radon mitigation systems 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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Radon | 23 | 74% | Moderate | High ⓘ | |
| Manganese | 46 | 26% | Moderate | High | |
| Iron | 46 | 22% | Moderate | High | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 41 | 7% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Arsenic | 40 | 2% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 41 | 2% | Moderate | Low | |
| Chloride | 46 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Fluoride | 46 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 41 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Lead | 40 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrate | 46 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrite | 31 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 41 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 41 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Sulfate | 46 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Uranium | 23 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| E. coli | 7* | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Fecal Coliform | 7* | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 46 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 41 | — | Moderate | Safe | |
| pH | 49 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Sodium | 46 | — | 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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