Groundwater in Lawrence County contains radon, manganese, and iron that well owners should know about. Several of these contaminants exceed EPA health standards, making them a concern that requires attention.
The Pennsylvanian rock layers beneath this county naturally hold these metals. As groundwater sits in the oxygen-poor spaces within this rock, iron and manganese dissolve into the water. Radon comes from tiny amounts of radioactive material in the rock itself. Road salt spread on winter roads also seeps down and adds chloride to some wells.
Groundwater in this county is hard, with elevated calcium and magnesium from the rock below, along with significant iron that adds to the mineral load. These minerals concentrate because water moves slowly through cracks and gaps in the layered rock, dissolving metals as it goes. Wells across Lawrence County commonly show these same hard-water and iron characteristics.
Wells in Lawrence County commonly have chloride, iron, lead, manganese, PFOS, radon, and sulfate at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Lead damages children's brains and kidneys and can harm adults too. Radon is a radioactive gas that increases cancer risk. Manganese can affect how the nervous system works. PFOS is an industrial chemical linked to serious health problems.
The water in this county is very hard and loaded with iron. You will see orange or brown staining on sinks, toilets, and laundry. White crusty scale builds up on pipes and fixtures. Hard water this extreme can shorten the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers. The water may taste metallic or salty.
We recommend testing your well with a comprehensive metals and minerals panel because multiple contaminants exceed health standards and every well is different--yours may have higher or lower levels than what is common here. Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your well so it can be properly treated. A comprehensive panel typically costs $200-400. Water softeners paired with iron removal systems can help address mineral 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 | 1 | 100% | 0% · 0% · 100% | Low | High ⓘ |
| Manganese | 17 | 75% | 18% · 12% · 71% | Moderate | High |
| Iron | 48 | 70% | 21% · 10% · 69% | Moderate | High |
| Lead | 48 | 13% | 75% · 12% · 12% | Moderate | Moderate |
| Sulfate | 59 | 12% | 75% · 14% · 12% | Moderate | Moderate |
| Chloride | 66 | 4% | 88% · 8% · 4% | Moderate |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 76 | 4% | 91% · 5% · 4% | Moderate |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 76 | 0% | 91% · 9% · 0% | Moderate | Low |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 12 | 0% | 100% · 0% · 0% | Low | Safe |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 48 | 0% | 100% · 0% · 0% | Moderate | Safe |
| Nitrite | 18 | 0% | 94% · 6% · 0% | Moderate | Low |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 12 | 0% | 100% · 0% · 0% | Low | Safe |
| Fluoride | 1 | 0% | 100% · 0% · 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ |
| E. coli | 1 | 0% | 100% · 0% · 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ |
| Arsenic | 1 | 0% | 100% · 0% · 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ |
| pH | 9 | — | — | Low | Low ⓘ |
| Nitrate | 1 | 0% | 100% · 0% · 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 48 | — | 100% · 0% · 0% | Moderate | Low |
| Sodium | 52 | — | — | Moderate | Low |
| Uranium | 1 | 0% | 100% · 0% · 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ |
| Hardness | 25 | — | — | 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.
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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