Groundwater in Chester County contains PFOA, PFOS, radon, fluoride, nitrite, arsenic, chloride, lead, iron, manganese, nitrate, and sulfate. These contaminants are present at levels serious enough to require testing and treatment.
The Mesozoic basin rocks beneath Chester County contain naturally occurring radon, arsenic, and manganese that dissolve into groundwater over time. Industrial chemicals like PFOA and PFOS have contaminated some wells through historical use and disposal. Nitrate, nitrite, chloride, and sulfate enter from agricultural activity, road salt, and septic systems that sit above the aquifer in this densely developed area.
Groundwater in this county is moderately hard, driven primarily by calcium and magnesium from the underlying rock formations. Iron is present at low levels across most wells. These mineral characteristics are widespread across Chester County wells, with moderate hardness common in this part of the region.
Wells in Chester County commonly exceed EPA health standards for fluoride, nitrite, radon, arsenic, chloride, PFOA, lead, manganese, and PFOS. Arsenic and radon increase cancer risk. Lead damages brain and nervous system development in children and harms kidney function in adults. Nitrite reduces oxygen in the blood. Manganese can affect brain development. Fluoride at elevated levels can cause dental problems. PFOA and PFOS are industrial chemicals linked to thyroid disease and other health effects.
Wells in this county show moderate hardness with some iron present. You may notice rust-colored stains on sinks, toilets, and laundry. White crusty scale buildup can form on fixtures and inside pipes. Hard water makes soap less effective for cleaning. These mineral deposits can shorten the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers.
We recommend testing your well with a comprehensive metals and minerals panel, since 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 you can treat it properly. A comprehensive panel typically costs $200 to $400. Treatment options include activated carbon filters, aeration systems, and ion exchange water softeners depending on which contaminants are present.
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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 518 | 47% | High | High | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 516 | 30% | High | High | |
| Radon | 759 | 23% | High | High ⓘ | |
| Manganese | 1252 | 18% | High | High | |
| Nitrate | 1596 | 12% | High | Moderate | |
| Iron | 1278 | 12% | High | Moderate | |
| Lead | 707 | 2% | High | Low | |
| Nitrite | 1496 | 1% | High | Low | |
| Chloride | 1450 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Sulfate | 1311 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Arsenic | 602 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Fluoride | 1000 | 0% | High | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 480 | 0% | High | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 95 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 95 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Uranium | 260 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Total Coliform | 1* | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 1070 | — | High | Low | |
| pH | 1904 | — | High | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 480 | — | High | Low | |
| Hardness | 1099 | — | High | Low | |
| E. coli | 1* | 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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