Groundwater in Montgomery County contains radon, arsenic, chloride, fluoride, iron, manganese, nitrate, and PFOA. Multiple contaminants exceed EPA health standards, which is a serious concern for well owners.
The coastal lowlands beneath Montgomery County contain fine sediments and clays that naturally release iron, manganese, and arsenic into water. Radon comes from radioactive minerals in these rock layers. Nitrate, chloride, and PFOA enter from urban development, farming, and industrial activity across the county.
Montgomery County groundwater is moderately hard, driven by dissolved calcium and magnesium, with moderate iron and sodium also present. The slow movement of water through fine coastal sediments allows these minerals to dissolve and accumulate. These mineral characteristics show up in wells across the county.
Wells in Montgomery County commonly have arsenic, chloride, fluoride, iron, manganese, nitrate, PFOA, and radon at levels above EPA health standards. Arsenic can damage your kidneys and increase cancer risk over time. Radon is a radioactive gas that enters your lungs and increases lung cancer risk. Nitrate is especially dangerous for infants and can cause serious illness. Fluoride at high levels can harm bone development. Manganese affects the brain and nervous system, particularly in children. PFOA is an industrial chemical linked to health problems including cancer and immune system damage.
Your county's water is moderately hard, which means you'll likely see orange or brown staining on fixtures, dishes, and laundry from iron. You may notice a metallic or bitter taste in your water. Scale buildup on pipes and appliances is common. This moderate hardness can shorten the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers, costing you more in repairs and replacements over time.
We recommend getting a comprehensive water test that checks for metals, minerals, and radon--this is the only way to know what is actually in your well. Your well could have higher or lower levels than what is common in the county. A comprehensive panel typically costs between $200 and $400. Water softeners can address hardness, while activated carbon filters and reverse osmosis systems help remove some 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 | 15 | 53% | Moderate | High ⓘ | |
| Manganese | 263 | 12% | High | Moderate | |
| Iron | 281 | 10% | High | Moderate | |
| Chloride | 155 | 5% | High |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Nitrate | 69 | 1% | Moderate | Low | |
| Arsenic | 214 | 1% | High | Low | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 233 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Fluoride | 412 | 0% | High | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 233 | 0% | High | Safe | |
| Lead | 211 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Nitrite | 30 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 233 | 0% | High | Safe | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 233 | 0% | High | Safe | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 233 | 0% | High | Safe | |
| Sulfate | 149 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Uranium | 79 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Sodium | 95 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| pH | 148 | — | High | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 233 | — | High | Low | |
| Hardness | 143 | — | 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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