Groundwater in Jefferson County contains radon, manganese, iron, arsenic, chloride, fluoride, lead, and sulfate. These contaminants exceed EPA health standards or taste standards, making them a serious concern for well owners.
The Pennsylvanian rock layers beneath the county--dark shales and coal-bearing rock--naturally release these metals and minerals into groundwater. As water moves slowly through cracks in these old rock layers, iron and manganese dissolve out. Arsenic, sulfate, and chloride also leach from minerals in the rock. Radon gas seeps from trace radioactive materials in the shale.
Groundwater in this county is very hard, with elevated calcium and magnesium, plus high iron and manganese. These minerals concentrate because water spends a long time moving through the rock layers underground, dissolving what it contacts. These characteristics are widespread across wells throughout the county.
Wells in Jefferson County commonly have arsenic, chloride, fluoride, lead, radon, and elevated iron and manganese above EPA health standards. Arsenic exposure over time increases the risk of cancer and can harm organs. Lead damages children's brain development and learning. Radon is a radioactive gas that can cause lung cancer. Manganese at high levels can affect the nervous system and brain development.
County wells are extremely hard with very high iron, making white crusty scale buildup common on pipes and fixtures. Iron stains sinks, toilets, and laundry orange or brown. The water may taste metallic or salty from elevated sodium and sulfate. Extremely hard water shortens the lifespan of water heaters, dishwashers, and other appliances.
We recommend testing your well with a comprehensive metals and minerals panel, since every well is different and yours 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. A comprehensive panel typically costs $200-400. Treatment options include whole-house systems combining water softeners, iron removal filters, and in some cases, additional filtration for arsenic or radon.
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 | 1 | 100% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Manganese | 194 | 72% | High | High | |
| Iron | 194 | 53% | High | High | |
| Sulfate | 159 | 28% | High | High | |
| Lead | 123 | 4% | High |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Fluoride | 154 | 3% | High |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Chloride | 195 | 2% | High | Low | |
| Arsenic | 103 | 1% | High | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 16 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Nitrate | 23 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrite | 12 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 16 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 16 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 16 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 16 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Uranium | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| pH | 171 | — | High | Low | |
| Sodium | 194 | — | High | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 16 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Total Coliform | 1* | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 174 | — | High | Low | |
| E. coli | 1* | 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.
* 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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