Iron, manganese, and nitrate are present in Morris County's groundwater and all three exceed EPA health standards at levels that warrant attention.
These contaminants come from the rock and soil layers beneath the county. Iron and manganese dissolve naturally into groundwater as water moves through the underground rocks. Nitrate enters groundwater from fertilizer use on land and from waste in soil, seeping downward over time.
Groundwater in this county is soft, with high sodium as the main mineral character. Sodium concentrations are elevated because water naturally dissolves salt from the rock and sediment layers underground. Many wells across the county show these same sodium and iron patterns.
Wells in Morris County commonly have iron, manganese, and nitrate at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Iron and manganese can harm the brain and nervous system, especially in children and infants. Nitrate poses serious health risks to babies under six months old. These contaminants come from natural sources in the groundwater.
The water in this county is soft, which means you probably won't see scale buildup on fixtures or inside appliances. However, the elevated sodium and moderate iron levels can still create quality-of-life issues. Iron can leave rust-colored stains on laundry, sinks, and toilets. You may notice a metallic or unpleasant taste in the water.
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 well so it can be properly treated. We recommend a comprehensive metals and minerals panel, which typically costs $200-400. Treatment options like iron removal filters or nitrate reduction systems can address these concerns.
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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iron | 44 | 11% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Manganese | 21 | 5% | Moderate |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Nitrate | 28 | 4% | Moderate |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Arsenic | 16 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Chloride | 24 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Fluoride | 105 | 0% | High | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 4 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Lead | 16 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 4 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 4 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 4 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 4 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 24 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Uranium | 3 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 24 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| pH | 24 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 4 | — | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 24 | — | 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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