Groundwater in Yates County contains radon, chloride, manganese, and iron. Several of these contaminants exceed EPA health standards and require attention.
The limestone bedrock beneath this county naturally releases manganese and iron as water passes through it over time. Radon seeps in from uranium decay in the rock. Chloride enters from road salt applied to winter roads and from animal waste on farms.
Groundwater in this county is very hard, driven by calcium and magnesium released from the limestone bedrock. Water moving slowly through limestone dissolves these minerals and carries them into wells. Most wells in Yates County show these hard-water characteristics.
Chloride, iron, manganese, and radon all reach concerning levels in wells across this county. Chloride at elevated levels can damage your kidneys and heart if you drink it for years. Manganese harms your brain and nervous system, especially in children. Radon is a radioactive gas that increases your risk of lung cancer when you breathe it in over time. Iron and manganese also damage organs and interfere with how your body works.
The very hard water here leaves white scale buildup inside your pipes and water heaters. You will see rust-colored staining on sinks, toilets, and laundry. Hard water also shortens the lifespan of appliances like water heaters and dishwashers. Soap doesn't lather well and leaves a film on your skin and clothes.
Your well is unique and may have higher or lower levels than what we see across the county. Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your water so you can treat it properly. We recommend a comprehensive metals and minerals panel, which typically costs two hundred to four hundred dollars. Depending on your results, treatment options like water softeners and radon aeration systems can help.
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 | 7 | 43% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Chloride | 289 | 42% | High | High | |
| Manganese | 13 | 38% | Low | High | |
| Iron | 13 | 31% | Low | High | |
| Uranium | 7 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Arsenic | 9 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Fluoride | 26 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 4 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Lead | 9 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Nitrate | 27 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrite | 20 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 4 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 4 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 4 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 4 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 39 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Sodium | 27 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Total Coliform | 4* | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| E. coli | 4* | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Fecal Coliform | 4* | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 4 | — | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 46 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| pH | 70 | — | Moderate | 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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