Groundwater in Lycoming County contains radon, manganese, and iron as the top detected contaminants. Several analytes including arsenic, chloride, iron, manganese, nitrate, PFOA, PFOS, radon, and sulfate exceed EPA health standards, which is a serious concern that requires your attention.
These contaminants come from the Mississippian bedrock aquifer beneath the county. Radon escapes from naturally radioactive elements trapped in the rock. Iron and manganese dissolve into groundwater as it moves slowly through the fractured stone layers. Arsenic, chloride, nitrate, and sulfate enter from a mix of natural rock dissolution and surface sources like road salt and past land use.
Groundwater in this county is moderately hard, driven by moderate iron concentrations. The Mississippian rock naturally releases iron as water flows through it over time. These characteristics show up across many wells in the county.
Arsenic, chloride, iron, manganese, nitrate, PFOA, PFOS, radon, and sulfate exceed EPA health standards in wells across this county. Arsenic builds up in your body over years and increases cancer risk. Radon is a radioactive gas that raises lung cancer risk when breathed in from water. Manganese can harm brain development in children with long-term exposure. Nitrate is dangerous for infants and can cause serious illness.
Wells in this county show moderate iron levels that cause orange or brown staining on sinks, toilets, and laundry. Hard water leaves white scale buildup on fixtures and can shorten the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers. Some wells may have a metallic or bitter taste from minerals.
Every well is different, and your well may have higher or lower levels than what is common here. Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your water so it can be properly treated. We recommend a comprehensive metals and minerals panel, which typically costs $200-$400. Treatment options like aeration systems, iron filters, and radon removal can address multiple contaminants.
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 | 83 | 66% | Moderate | High ⓘ | |
| Manganese | 132 | 33% | High | High | |
| Iron | 136 | 29% | High | High | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 171 | 16% | High | High | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 167 | 7% | High | Moderate | |
| Arsenic | 126 | 7% | High | Moderate | |
| Chloride | 141 | 3% | High | Low | |
| Sulfate | 140 | 1% | High | Low | |
| Nitrate | 146 | 1% | High | Low | |
| Fluoride | 130 | 0% | High | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 150 | 0% | High | Safe | |
| Lead | 117 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Nitrite | 132 | 0% | High | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 16 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 16 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Uranium | 86 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| E. coli | 1* | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 134 | — | High | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 150 | — | High | Low | |
| pH | 149 | — | High | Low | |
| Sodium | 133 | — | High | Low | |
| Total Coliform | 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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