Groundwater in Lehigh County contains iron, radon, pfoa, and several other contaminants that exceed EPA health standards including manganese, nitrate, pfhxs, pfna, and pfos. These contaminant levels are serious enough to warrant testing and treatment.
The carbonate rock beneath Lehigh County naturally releases iron and manganese into groundwater as water slowly moves through cracks and dissolves minerals over time. Radon forms naturally when radioactive elements trapped in the rock decay. Pfoa and related chemicals come from industrial sources and persist in groundwater because they break down very slowly. Nitrate typically enters from agricultural land use or septic systems.
Groundwater in this county is hard, driven by elevated calcium and magnesium from the limestone and carbonate rock below. Iron at moderate levels also concentrates in the water as it passes through these mineral-rich layers. These characteristics are common across wells throughout the county.
Wells in Lehigh County commonly exceed EPA health standards for iron, manganese, nitrate, PFHXS, PFNA, PFOA, PFOS, radon, and sulfate. Radon is a radioactive gas that increases lung cancer risk over time. PFOA, PFOS, PFHXS, and PFNA are industrial chemicals linked to thyroid disease, kidney damage, and immune system problems. Iron and manganese at elevated levels can harm brain development in children. Nitrate in drinking water reduces the blood's ability to carry oxygen, which is especially dangerous for infants.
Wells in this county show hard water conditions that cause visible staining and scale buildup. Iron stains sinks, toilets, and laundry orange-brown. Hard water leaves white crusty deposits on faucets and fixtures. The buildup of scale can shorten the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers. You may also notice a metallic taste or unpleasant odor in your water.
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 it can be properly treated. A comprehensive panel typically costs $200-400; treatment options include aeration systems and activated carbon filters to address multiple 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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iron | 124 | 27% | High | High | |
| Radon | 8 | 25% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 434 | 25% | High | High | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 435 | 22% | High | High | |
| Manganese | 93 | 12% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Nitrate | 170 | 2% | High | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 118 | 2% | High | Low | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 118 | 2% | High | Low | |
| Sulfate | 129 | 2% | High | Low | |
| Arsenic | 12 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| Chloride | 155 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Fluoride | 94 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 425 | 0% | High | Safe | |
| Lead | 10 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| Nitrite | 24 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Uranium | 6 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 130 | — | High | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 425 | — | High | Low | |
| pH | 171 | — | High | Low | |
| Sodium | 97 | — | 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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