Groundwater in Erie County contains arsenic, iron, manganese, lead, radon, chloride, sulfate, and PFOA and PFOS. Several of these contaminants exceed EPA health standards and demand your attention.
The rock beneath this county naturally contains iron and manganese, which dissolve into groundwater as water moves through cracks and fractures. Arsenic also occurs naturally in the bedrock here. Road salt spread on county roads during winter enters wells as chloride. Radon seeps from radioactive elements in the rock layers below.
Groundwater in this county is moderately hard, driven by elevated iron that gives water an iron-rich character. Iron dissolves naturally from minerals in the fractured rock that supplies your well. This combination of hardness and elevated iron is widespread across wells in the county.
Wells in Erie County commonly exceed EPA health standards for arsenic, lead, radon, and PFOA and PFOS. Arsenic and lead damage the brain and nervous system, especially in children. Radon is a radioactive gas that increases lung cancer risk when inhaled from water over time. PFOA and PFOS are human-made chemicals that can affect the immune system and liver.
Wells in this county show moderately hard water with elevated iron. Iron causes orange-brown staining on sinks, toilets, and laundry. The water may taste metallic or slightly bitter. Hard water at this level can shorten the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers.
Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your well, since every well is different and yours may have higher or lower levels than the county average. We recommend a comprehensive metals and minerals panel that covers all these contaminants. Testing typically costs between $200 and $400. Treatment options like reverse osmosis filters, radon mitigation systems, and water softeners can address these concerns once you know your specific levels.
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 | 113 | 46% | High | High | |
| Iron | 312 | 35% | High | High | |
| Arsenic | 76 | 22% | Moderate | High | |
| Lead | 84 | 10% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Chloride | 432 | 8% | High | Moderate | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 201 | 4% | High |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 201 | 3% | High | Low | |
| Nitrate | 164 | 2% | High | Low | |
| Nitrite | 108 | 1% | High | Low | |
| Fluoride | 116 | 0% | High | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 149 | 0% | High | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 45 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 45 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Radon | 5 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 102 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Sodium | 122 | — | High | Low | |
| pH | 276 | — | High | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 151 | — | High | Low | |
| Hardness | 419 | — | 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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