Groundwater in Berks County contains radon, pfos, and pfoa among other contaminants that well owners should monitor. Multiple contaminants exceed EPA health standards, including nitrite, uranium, arsenic, lead, and manganese, making this a serious water quality concern.
The limestone and dolostone bedrock beneath Berks County naturally releases radon as uranium trapped in the rock decays over time. Pfoa and pfos are industrial chemicals that have entered groundwater through contamination pathways. Nitrite, arsenic, and heavy metals like lead and manganese dissolve into water as it moves through fractured carbonate rock, and road salt applied to local highways contributes chloride to groundwater.
Groundwater in this county is very hard, driven by elevated calcium and magnesium from the limestone bedrock below. As water moves slowly through the carbonate rock layers, these minerals dissolve and concentrate in the water. This hard-water character is widespread across wells in Berks County.
Wells in Berks County commonly exceed EPA health standards for nitrite, radon, uranium, PFOA, PFOS, arsenic, lead, and manganese. Nitrite reduces the blood's ability to carry oxygen, which is especially dangerous for infants and pregnant people. Radon is a radioactive gas that increases cancer risk over time. Arsenic and uranium also raise cancer risk with long-term exposure. Lead damages children's brains and nervous systems. Manganese at high levels can harm brain development and function.
The county's water is very hard, which causes thick white scale buildup on fixtures and inside pipes. Iron staining appears on sinks, toilets, and laundry. Very hard water can shorten the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers. Some people notice a metallic or salty taste. The mineral deposits make cleaning harder and reduce soap effectiveness.
We recommend testing your well with a comprehensive metals and minerals panel because 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 water so it can be properly treated. A comprehensive panel typically costs $200-400. Treatment options include aeration systems, activated carbon filters, and water softening combined with radon removal.
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 | 23 | 48% | Moderate | High ⓘ | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 859 | 18% | High | High | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 859 | 18% | High | High | |
| Iron | 197 | 15% | High | High | |
| Nitrate | 229 | 14% | High | Moderate | |
| Manganese | 180 | 12% | High | Moderate | |
| Arsenic | 80 | 8% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Sulfate | 209 | 4% | High |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Uranium | 33 | 3% | Moderate |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Lead | 63 | 2% | Moderate | Low | |
| Chloride | 213 | 1% | High | Low | |
| Nitrite | 135 | 1% | High | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 163 | 1% | High | Low | |
| Fluoride | 156 | 0% | High | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 823 | 0% | High | Safe | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 163 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Total Coliform | 2* | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 189 | — | High | Low | |
| pH | 245 | — | High | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 822 | — | High | Low | |
| Hardness | 177 | — | High | Low | |
| E. coli | 2* | 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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