Groundwater in Crawford County contains manganese, iron, radon, chloride, and PFOA/PFOS. Several of these contaminants exceed EPA health standards and warrant attention.
These metals and contaminants come from two sources. Manganese and iron dissolve naturally from the rock layers beneath the county. Radon, a radioactive gas, seeps from uranium decay in the bedrock. Chloride enters from road salt applied during winters, and PFOA/PFOS are industrial chemicals that have contaminated some wells.
Groundwater in this county is hard, driven by calcium and magnesium from the limestone and shale layers below. Iron at moderate levels adds to this mineral character. These characteristics are widespread across wells in Crawford County, though individual wells vary in their specific mineral content.
Wells in Crawford County contain chloride, iron, manganese, PFOA, and PFOS at levels above EPA health standards, plus radon. Chloride and PFOA and PFOS are human-made chemicals that can harm kidneys and the immune system with long-term exposure. Manganese affects brain development and nervous system function. Iron and radon each carry their own health concerns over time.
Wells in this county show moderate to hard water conditions. Iron leaves orange and brown stains on sinks, toilets, and laundry. The hard water causes white scale buildup on pipes and inside appliances like water heaters and dishwashers, which can shorten their lifespan. You may notice a metallic or slightly bitter taste in the water.
We recommend testing your well water through a certified lab. Every well is different--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 you can treat it properly. Since multiple analytes exceed standards, a comprehensive metals and minerals panel is recommended and typically costs between $200 and $400. Treatment options like water softeners paired with iron filtration or radon mitigation can address 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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manganese | 37 | 54% | Moderate | High | |
| Iron | 41 | 46% | Moderate | High | |
| Radon | 8 | 12% | Low | Moderate ⓘ | |
| Chloride | 42 | 7% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 231 | 6% | High | Moderate | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 230 | 1% | High | Low | |
| Arsenic | 8 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Fluoride | 38 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 137 | 0% | High | Safe | |
| Lead | 8 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Nitrate | 39 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrite | 16 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 6 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 6 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 42 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Uranium | 3 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 37 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| pH | 35 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 136 | — | High | Low | |
| Hardness | 42 | — | Moderate | 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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