Groundwater in Greene County contains arsenic, manganese, iron, and several other contaminants that exceed EPA health standards. These levels are serious enough to require immediate testing and treatment.
These contaminants come from the bedrock itself. The county sits above fractured rock layers that naturally contain arsenic, iron, and manganese. As groundwater moves slowly through cracks in this rock, it dissolves these metals and carries them into wells.
Groundwater in Greene County is very hard, driven by elevated calcium and magnesium from the limestone and dolomite below. The rock also contributes moderate iron and low sulfate. These mineral characteristics are widespread across wells in the county.
Wells in Greene County commonly contain arsenic, radon, and several other contaminants that exceed EPA health standards. Arsenic is a poison that builds up in your body over time and can damage your kidneys and increase cancer risk. Radon is a radioactive gas that enters water from naturally occurring radioactive materials in the bedrock. Chloride, iron, manganese, and sulfate also exceed health standards in county wells and pose health concerns with long-term exposure.
The water in this county is extremely hard, which means you will see thick white crusty buildup on faucets and pipes. Iron causes orange-brown stains on sinks, toilets, and laundry. The combination of extreme hardness and high iron levels can shorten the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers. You may also notice a metallic taste or odor in your water.
We recommend testing your well because every well is different and your water 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 well so it can be properly treated. Since multiple contaminants exceed health standards, a comprehensive metals and minerals panel is recommended, which typically costs $200-400. Treatment options include water softeners combined with iron filters and radon aeration systems.
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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arsenic | 2 | 100% | 50% · 0% · 50% | Low | High ⓘ |
| Manganese | 9 | 88% | 11% · 11% · 78% | Low | High ⓘ |
| Iron | 73 | 43% | 44% · 14% · 42% | Moderate | High |
| Radon | 12 | 42% | 42% · 17% · 42% | Low | High ⓘ |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 29 | 28% | 72% · 0% · 28% | Moderate | High |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 29 | 24% | 76% · 0% · 24% | Moderate | High |
| Chloride | 71 | 18% | 68% · 14% · 18% | Moderate | High |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 29 | 14% | 86% · 0% · 14% | Moderate | Moderate |
| Sulfate | 42 | 2% | 88% · 10% · 2% | Moderate | Low |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 29 | 0% | 100% · 0% · 0% | Moderate | Safe |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 29 | 0% | 100% · 0% · 0% | Moderate | Safe |
| Uranium | 20 | 0% | 100% · 0% · 0% | Moderate | Low |
| Fluoride | 24 | 0% | 100% · 0% · 0% | Moderate | Low |
| Nitrate | 5 | 0% | 100% · 0% · 0% | Low | Low ⓘ |
| E. coli | 1 | 0% | 100% · 0% · 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ |
| Total Coliform | 1 | 0% | 100% · 0% · 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ |
| Hardness | 20 | — | — | Moderate | Low |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 29 | — | 100% · 0% · 0% | Moderate | Low |
| Sodium | 47 | — | — | Moderate | Low |
| pH | 8 | — | — | Low | Low ⓘ |
| Lead | 1 | 0% | 100% · 0% · 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ |
| Nitrite | 1 | 0% | 100% · 0% · 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ |
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.
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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