Groundwater in York County contains iron, manganese, chloride, nitrate, and sulfate. Several of these contaminants exceed EPA health standards and warrant your attention.
The coastal plain geology here naturally holds these minerals and salts. Saltwater from nearby ocean areas pushes inland into the freshwater aquifer, adding chloride and sodium. Iron and manganese seep from the sand and clay layers underground. Nitrate often enters from septic systems and agricultural land use spread across the county.
Groundwater in this county is hard, driven by elevated calcium and magnesium, and also notably high in iron. The sandy and clay layers of the coastal plain geology concentrate these minerals as water moves through them slowly underground. These characteristics show up in most wells across York County.
Wells in York County commonly contain chloride, iron, manganese, nitrate, and sulfate at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Chloride and nitrate at elevated levels can harm human health, especially for infants and people with certain medical conditions. Iron and manganese can affect the nervous system and cause developmental problems in children. Sulfate can cause digestive issues when levels are high enough.
Hard water is common in county wells, which means you will see reddish-brown staining on fixtures, laundry, and sinks from iron buildup. Scale deposits form inside pipes and water heaters, which can shorten the lifespan of appliances like dishwashers and water heaters. You may notice a metallic or unpleasant taste in your water. Soap does not lather well in hard water, making cleaning less effective.
Your well water is unique and could have higher or lower contaminant levels than what is common across the county. Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your water so you can treat it properly. We recommend a comprehensive metals and minerals panel, which typically costs two hundred to four hundred dollars. Depending on your results, treatment options like water softeners or iron filters can help 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 | 94 | 51% | Moderate | High | |
| Manganese | 75 | 35% | Moderate | High | |
| Chloride | 113 | 26% | High | High | |
| Nitrate | 79 | 1% | Moderate | Low | |
| Sulfate | 103 | 1% | High | Low | |
| Arsenic | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Fluoride | 103 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Lead | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Nitrite | 66 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Radon | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Uranium | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 103 | — | High | Low | |
| pH | 120 | — | High | Low | |
| Sodium | 102 | — | 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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