Groundwater in Tioga County contains radon, manganese, iron, arsenic, chloride, and lead--several at levels that exceed EPA health standards. These contaminant levels are serious enough that your well water requires testing and attention.
The fractured rock beneath Tioga County releases radon naturally from radioactive elements trapped inside. Iron and manganese dissolve into the water as it moves through cracks in the bedrock, while arsenic occurs naturally in certain rock layers. Chloride and lead enter from road salt spread on highways and from old pipes and fixtures.
Groundwater in this county is hard, driven by elevated calcium and magnesium dissolved from the surrounding rock. The iron also shapes the water's character. These characteristics show up across most wells in the county.
Wells in Tioga County commonly exceed EPA health standards for arsenic, lead, radon, and chloride. Arsenic builds up in your body over time and increases cancer risk. Lead damages brain development in children and affects the nervous system in adults. Radon is a radioactive gas that increases lung cancer risk when you breathe it in from water. These contaminants have no taste or smell, so testing is the only way to know if they are present.
Hard water in this county causes white scale buildup on faucets and inside pipes. Iron staining leaves orange or rust-colored marks on sinks, toilets, and laundry. You may notice a metallic or bitter taste in your water. Hard water can shorten the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers because minerals clog the equipment over time.
We recommend a comprehensive metals and minerals panel because 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 radon aeration systems, arsenic removal filters, and whole-house water softeners.
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 | 12 | 100% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Manganese | 173 | 60% | High | High | |
| Iron | 181 | 57% | High | High | |
| Arsenic | 197 | 9% | High | Moderate | |
| Lead | 166 | 4% | High |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Chloride | 176 | 3% | High | Low | |
| Fluoride | 172 | 0% | High | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 71 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Nitrate | 178 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Nitrite | 171 | 0% | High | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 95 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 95 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Sulfate | 176 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Uranium | 26 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| E. coli | 1* | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 142 | — | High | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 71 | — | Moderate | Safe | |
| pH | 284 | — | High | Low | |
| Sodium | 172 | — | 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.
Loading recent water news…