Warren County well owners should know that their groundwater contains radon, iron, and manganese. Iron and manganese exceed EPA health standards in this county, making them a real concern for your water supply.
The limestone bedrock beneath Warren County naturally contains iron and manganese minerals that dissolve into groundwater as water passes through cracks and layers in the rock. Radon enters the water from the natural breakdown of uranium in the same limestone. These are all natural sources tied directly to the geology here.
Groundwater in this county is moderately hard, driven by calcium and magnesium from the limestone above. As water filters down through limestone, it picks up these minerals, which concentrate in the aquifer. Elevated iron and moderate hardness are common across wells throughout Warren County.
Wells in Warren County contain iron, manganese, PFOA, and radon at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Radon is a radioactive gas that enters groundwater naturally and can increase lung cancer risk over time if you breathe it in your home. Iron and manganese can affect your organs and cause problems with how your body processes certain nutrients. PFOA is a chemical that can build up in your blood and may harm your immune system and other body functions.
The moderately hard water in county wells can leave rust-colored or brown stains on sinks, toilets, and laundry. You might notice a metallic or unpleasant taste in the water. Hard water can also shorten the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers by causing scale buildup inside the machines. These quality-of-life issues affect daily living but are separate from the health concerns above.
We recommend testing your well as soon as possible because every well is different and yours may have higher or lower levels than what is common in the county. A comprehensive panel that checks for metals, minerals, and radon typically costs between $200 and $400. Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your well so it can be properly treated. Radon mitigation systems and iron filtration can address multiple concerns in your home.
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 | 26 | 54% | Moderate | High ⓘ | |
| Iron | 36 | 17% | Moderate | High | |
| Manganese | 36 | 11% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 9 | 11% | Low | Moderate ⓘ | |
| Arsenic | 34 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Chloride | 37 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Fluoride | 37 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 9 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Lead | 34 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrate | 37 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrite | 27 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 9 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 9 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 9 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 37 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Uranium | 26 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| E. coli | 10* | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| Fecal Coliform | 10* | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| Hardness | 37 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 9 | — | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| pH | 37 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Sodium | 37 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Total Coliform | 10* | 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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