Groundwater in Wyoming County contains radon, manganese, and iron as the top contaminants well owners should be aware of. Several substances including arsenic, chloride, iron, manganese, nitrate, PFOA, PFOS, and radon exceed EPA health standards, making this a serious situation.
These contaminants come from the Mississippian-age rock beneath the county. Radon forms naturally from radioactive minerals deep in the bedrock. Iron and manganese dissolve into groundwater as it moves slowly through cracks in the fractured rock layers. Arsenic occurs naturally in these rocks, while chloride enters from road salt applied to highways during winter months and from natural salt deposits.
Groundwater in Wyoming County is moderately hard, with the mineral content shaped by calcium and magnesium from the limestone and other rock layers below. Iron dissolves directly from minerals in the bedrock as water passes through fractures. These mineral and contaminant characteristics show up across most wells in the county.
Wells in Wyoming County commonly contain arsenic, chloride, iron, manganese, nitrate, PFOA, PFOS, and radon at levels exceeding EPA health standards. Arsenic can increase cancer risk and cause organ damage with long-term exposure. Radon is a radioactive gas that gets released into the air you breathe indoors and increases lung cancer risk over time. Nitrate is especially concerning for infants and can interfere with oxygen in the blood. Manganese at elevated levels can affect brain development and nervous system health.
County well water has moderately hard minerals that create noticeable quality-of-life impacts. Iron leaves orange or rust-colored stains on sinks, toilets, and laundry. You may notice a metallic taste or smell in the water. White scale buildup can develop on pipes and fixtures. Moderate hardness can shorten the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers over time.
We recommend testing your well water 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 between $200 and $400. Treatment options like aeration systems and activated carbon filters can address several of these 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 | 3 | 67% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Manganese | 46 | 48% | Moderate | High | |
| Iron | 55 | 29% | Moderate | High | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 153 | 20% | High | High | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 152 | 15% | High | High | |
| Chloride | 57 | 4% | Moderate |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Arsenic | 34 | 3% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrate | 58 | 2% | Moderate | Low | |
| Fluoride | 38 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 143 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Lead | 30 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrite | 24 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 10 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 10 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| Sulfate | 57 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Uranium | 14 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| Total Coliform | 2* | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| E. coli | 2* | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 53 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 143 | — | High | Low | |
| pH | 56 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Sodium | 55 | — | 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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