Groundwater in Schuylkill County contains manganese, iron, sulfate, arsenic, chloride, lead, nitrate, uranium, radon, and PFOA and PFOS. Multiple contaminants exceed EPA health standards at concerning levels.
The carbonate rock beneath this county naturally releases manganese, iron, and sulfate into groundwater as water moves slowly through cracks and dissolves minerals over time. Arsenic, uranium, and radon form and concentrate in the rock itself. Road salt applied to highways and old mining activity in the region also contribute chloride and sulfate to well water.
Groundwater in this county is hard, driven by elevated calcium and magnesium from the carbonate bedrock, and is also very high in iron and sulfate. Iron dissolves from minerals in the rock as acidic groundwater passes through low-oxygen areas deep underground, while sulfate builds up the same way from mineral contact. These characteristics are common across wells in the county.
Wells in Schuylkill County commonly contain multiple contaminants that exceed EPA health standards. Arsenic, lead, uranium, and radon are radioactive substances that increase cancer risk with long-term exposure. Nitrate and chloride can harm infants and people with certain health conditions. PFOA and PFOS are industrial chemicals that build up in your body over time. Manganese at elevated levels can affect brain development in children.
County well water tends to be very hard with extremely high iron levels. Iron causes orange-brown staining on sinks, toilets, and laundry that is difficult to remove. The high sulfate creates a bitter or unpleasant taste. Hard water this extreme leaves thick white crusty scale buildup on pipes and fixtures that can shorten the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers.
We recommend testing your well because every well is different and your water 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 well so it can be properly treated. Since multiple analytes exceed health standards here, a comprehensive metals and minerals panel typically costs $200-400. Treatment options include aeration systems and activated carbon filters tailored to your specific results.
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 | 676 | 94% | High | High | |
| Iron | 752 | 84% | High | High | |
| Sulfate | 702 | 29% | High | High | |
| Radon | 13 | 23% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 285 | 7% | High | Moderate | |
| Uranium | 121 | 5% | High |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 285 | 2% | High | Low | |
| Lead | 305 | 1% | High | Low | |
| Nitrate | 271 | 1% | High | Low | |
| Chloride | 501 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Arsenic | 274 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Fluoride | 263 | 0% | High | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 277 | 0% | High | Safe | |
| Nitrite | 141 | 0% | High | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 58 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 58 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| E. coli | 5* | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 678 | — | High | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 277 | — | High | Low | |
| pH | 837 | — | High | Low | |
| Sodium | 676 | — | High | Low | |
| Total Coliform | 5* | 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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