Groundwater in Pike County contains radon, manganese, and iron that well owners should be aware of. Several of these contaminants--arsenic, chloride, iron, manganese, pfoa, pfos, radon, and sulfate--exceed EPA health standards in some wells, making testing important.
The carbonate rock beneath Pike County naturally releases radon gas as it breaks down underground. Manganese and iron also dissolve naturally from this rock as slightly acidic rainwater moves through it. Road salt from highways can increase chloride levels in some areas, while pfoa and pfos come from industrial sources in the landscape.
Groundwater in this county is moderately hard, driven by calcium and magnesium from the carbonate rock below. As rainwater seeps through limestone and related rock, these minerals dissolve into the water. Most wells in Pike County show these moderately hard characteristics with moderate iron levels.
Wells in Pike County commonly exceed EPA health standards for arsenic, radon, chloride, and the industrial chemicals PFOA and PFOS. Arsenic can damage your kidneys and increase cancer risk with long-term exposure. Radon is a radioactive gas that enters water from natural decay in the bedrock and increases lung cancer risk when you breathe it in. Chloride and the fluorinated chemicals PFOA and PFOS also build up in your body over time and cause health problems.
County wells show moderate iron and moderately hard water. Iron stains fixtures and laundry reddish-brown and can leave a metallic taste. The moderately hard water means you may notice some scale buildup on fixtures and inside appliances like water heaters, which can shorten their lifespan over time.
We recommend testing your well for a comprehensive metals, minerals, and radon panel, since multiple contaminants exceed health standards here. Every well is different, and your water may have higher or lower levels than what is common in Pike County. Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your water so you can treat it properly. A comprehensive panel typically costs $200-400. Treatment options like activated carbon filters and aeration systems can address different 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 | 160 | 69% | High | High ⓘ | |
| Manganese | 235 | 25% | High | High | |
| Iron | 235 | 17% | High | High | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 258 | 5% | High | Moderate | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 258 | 2% | High | Low | |
| Arsenic | 203 | 2% | High | Low | |
| Chloride | 236 | 1% | High | Low | |
| Sulfate | 236 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Fluoride | 233 | 0% | High | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 223 | 0% | High | Safe | |
| Lead | 207 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Nitrate | 237 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Nitrite | 230 | 0% | High | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 38 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 38 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Uranium | 169 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Hardness | 234 | — | High | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 223 | — | High | Low | |
| pH | 237 | — | High | Low | |
| Sodium | 232 | — | 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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