Groundwater in York County contains manganese, radon, iron, chloride, fluoride, nitrite, PFOA, PFOS, and sulfate. Several of these contaminants exceed EPA health standards and require attention.
The crystalline bedrock beneath York County naturally releases radon, manganese, and iron as groundwater moves slowly through tiny cracks and fractures in the rock. Road salt from winter highway treatments and natural mineral deposits add chloride and sulfate to the water over time.
Groundwater in this county is moderately hard, driven by elevated iron and moderate mineral content. The crystalline rock releases these minerals as water sits in contact with the stone underground. Iron is common across York County wells, and many wells show the characteristic mineral signature of this bedrock type.
Wells in York County commonly exceed EPA health standards for chloride, fluoride, radon, nitrite, and PFOA and PFOS. Radon is a radioactive gas that increases lung cancer risk when breathed in from water. Chloride and fluoride can affect heart health and bone development at elevated levels. Nitrite can interfere with oxygen transport in the blood, especially in infants. PFOA and PFOS are industrial chemicals linked to kidney and liver damage.
Iron in county wells causes orange and brown stains on sinks, toilets, and laundry that are hard to remove. You may notice a metallic taste in your water. County wells show moderate hardness, which means white crusty buildup can form on pipes and fixtures and shorten the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers. These mineral deposits reduce how well appliances work over time.
We recommend having your well tested with a comprehensive panel that checks for metals, minerals, radon, and PFOA and PFOS, since multiple contaminants exceed standards here. Every well is different--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 aeration systems and activated carbon filters designed to address your specific 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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manganese | 5 | 75% | 40% · 0% · 60% | Low | High ⓘ |
| Radon | 47 | 66% | 30% · 4% · 66% | Moderate | High ⓘ |
| Iron | 16 | 53% | 38% · 12% · 50% | Moderate | High |
| Fluoride | 3 | 50% | 67% · 0% · 33% | Low | High ⓘ |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 399 | 26% | 50% · 24% · 26% | High | High |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 399 | 24% | 41% · 35% · 24% | High | High |
| Chloride | 99 | 12% | 79% · 9% · 12% | Moderate | Moderate |
| Sulfate | 60 | 5% | 80% · 15% · 5% | Moderate | Moderate |
| Nitrite | 39 | 3% | 95% · 3% · 3% | Moderate | Low |
| Uranium | 21 | 0% | 100% · 0% · 0% | Moderate | Low |
| Arsenic | 14 | 0% | 86% · 14% · 0% | Low | Low |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 392 | 0% | 100% · 0% · 0% | High | Safe |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 101 | 0% | 100% · 0% · 0% | High | Low |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 101 | 0% | 99% · 1% · 0% | High | Low |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 392 | — | 100% · 0% · 0% | High | Low |
| Nitrite | 1 | 0% | 100% · 0% · 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ |
| Fecal Coliform | 1 | 0% | 100% · 0% · 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ |
| E. coli | 1 | 0% | 100% · 0% · 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ |
| Sodium | 76 | — | — | Moderate | Low |
| Hardness | 21 | — | — | Moderate | Low |
| Total Coliform | 1 | 0% | 100% · 0% · 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ |
| Lead | 1 | 0% | 100% · 0% · 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ |
| Nitrate | 1 | 0% | 100% · 0% · 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ |
| pH | 14 | — | — | 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.
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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