Groundwater in Bradford County contains radon, manganese, and iron as the top contaminants well owners should know about. Multiple contaminants exceed EPA health standards, including arsenic, chloride, iron, lead, manganese, nitrate, sulfate, and radon, making this a serious concern.
These contaminants come from the fractured Mississippian rock beneath the county. Radon forms naturally from radioactive elements in the bedrock. Iron and manganese dissolve into water as it moves slowly through cracks in the rock. Arsenic, lead, and other metals occur naturally in these ancient rock layers.
Groundwater in Bradford County is hard, driven by elevated calcium and magnesium from the limestone-rich bedrock. The rock layers here naturally release these minerals as water seeps downward and sits in contact with the stone. Hard water is common across wells in this county.
Wells in Bradford County commonly exceed EPA health standards for arsenic, lead, nitrate, radon, and other metals like manganese. Arsenic and lead are especially serious because they build up in your body over time and can damage your kidneys, bones, and brain--especially in children. Radon is a radioactive gas that increases lung cancer risk with long-term exposure. Nitrate is dangerous for infants and can interfere with how blood carries oxygen.
The moderately hard water in this county causes orange or brown staining on sinks, toilets, and laundry from iron. You may notice a metallic or sulfur taste in your water. Hard water also shortens the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers by causing mineral buildup inside them. You might see white scale deposits on faucets and shower heads.
We recommend a comprehensive metals and minerals panel because multiple contaminants exceed health standards in county wells. 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 panel typically costs $200-400 and should include bacteria, nitrate, metals, and radon; aeration systems and activated carbon filters can address several of these concerns.
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 | 80 | 70% | Moderate | High ⓘ | |
| Manganese | 245 | 42% | High | High | |
| Iron | 257 | 30% | High | High | |
| Arsenic | 241 | 7% | High | Moderate | |
| Chloride | 252 | 6% | High | Moderate | |
| Lead | 210 | 1% | High | Low | |
| Nitrate | 261 | 1% | High | Low | |
| Sulfate | 257 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Fluoride | 244 | 0% | High | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 59 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Nitrite | 252 | 0% | High | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 10 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 10 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 95 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 95 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Uranium | 113 | 0% | High | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 59 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Hardness | 185 | — | High | Low | |
| E. coli | 73* | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Total Coliform | 72* | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Sodium | 252 | — | High | Low | |
| pH | 270 | — | High | 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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