Groundwater in Montgomery County contains manganese, iron, and the industrial chemicals PFOS, PFHXS, and PFOA. Multiple contaminants exceed EPA health standards, making this a serious concern that requires immediate testing and treatment.
These contaminants come from the fractured limestone and shale bedrock beneath the county. As groundwater moves slowly through cracks in the rock, manganese and iron dissolve naturally from the minerals. PFOS and related chemicals enter from industrial sites, landfills, and firefighting foam used at airports or military facilities. Arsenic and lead are also embedded in the rock itself and release into water under low-oxygen conditions underground.
Groundwater in this county is very hard, with elevated calcium and magnesium from the limestone below. The water also carries high iron and moderate sulfate. These mineral characteristics are widespread across wells in Montgomery County.
Wells in Montgomery County commonly contain arsenic, lead, nitrate, and PFOA/PFOS compounds at levels 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. Lead is especially dangerous for children and can harm brain development. PFOA and PFOS are industrial chemicals linked to liver damage, thyroid disease, and weakened immunity. Nitrate at high levels can interfere with oxygen in your blood.
The water in this county is extremely hard, which leaves thick white crusty buildup on faucets and pipes. Iron at elevated levels causes orange-brown stains on sinks, toilets, and laundry. The combination of hardness and high iron can shorten the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers. You may also notice a metallic or bitter taste in your water.
We recommend testing your well right away because multiple contaminants exceed health standards. Every well is different, and your well 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 water so it can be properly treated. A comprehensive metals and minerals panel typically costs $200-400. Treatment options include radon aeration systems, point-of-entry filters for arsenic and lead, and water softeners for hardness.
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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manganese | 472 | 68% | High | High | |
| Iron | 483 | 53% | High | High | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 54 | 30% | Moderate | High | |
| Arsenic | 307 | 9% | High | Moderate | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 54 | 6% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 55 | 2% | Moderate | Low | |
| Chloride | 482 | 1% | High | Low | |
| Nitrate | 246 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Sulfate | 297 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Lead | 303 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Fluoride | 319 | 0% | High | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 54 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Nitrite | 223 | 0% | High | Low | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 55 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Radon | 11 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Uranium | 47 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| E. coli | 3* | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 470 | — | High | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 54 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| pH | 455 | — | High | Low | |
| Sodium | 439 | — | High | Low | |
| Total Coliform | 3* | 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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