Groundwater in Lamoille County contains radon, manganese, iron, arsenic, chloride, lead, nitrate, and uranium at levels high enough to exceed federal health standards. These contaminants are a real concern and well owners should test their water to know what they are drinking.
The rock beneath this county naturally contains radioactive elements that break down into radon, and minerals like manganese and iron that dissolve into groundwater. Nitrate and chloride often come from septic systems, road salt, and farm practices. Lead and arsenic can leach from natural rock or old metal pipes and plumbing fixtures.
Groundwater in this county is very hard, driven by calcium and magnesium that dissolve from the bedrock and accumulate in the water. The local rock naturally releases these minerals as water moves through it underground. Most wells in Lamoille County show this same high hardness.
Wells in Lamoille County show several contaminants at levels above EPA health standards. Arsenic, lead, and uranium are metals that can build up in your body over time and cause serious health problems including cancer and kidney damage. Radon is a radioactive gas that increases lung cancer risk when breathed in for years. Nitrate harms infants and can cause problems with how blood carries oxygen. Manganese affects how your brain and nervous system work, especially in children.
The very hard water in county wells creates practical headaches for daily life. Hard water leaves white scale buildup on faucets, shower heads, and inside pipes. It makes soap less effective for cleaning and can shorten the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers. Your clothes may feel stiff after washing, and you might notice spots on dishes.
We recommend testing your well to find out what is actually in your water, since every well is different and yours could have higher or lower levels than what is common here. A comprehensive panel testing for metals, minerals, and bacteria costs around two hundred to four hundred dollars and is the only way to know what treatment your well needs. Treatment options for multiple contaminants include whole-house filters, reverse osmosis systems, or aeration depending on what testing reveals.
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 | 421 | 100% | High | High ⓘ | |
| Manganese | 639 | 28% | High | High | |
| Iron | 521 | 17% | High | High | |
| Arsenic | 1625 | 3% | High |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Lead | 1677 | 2% | High | Low | |
| Chloride | 1371 | 1% | High | Low | |
| Uranium | 1218 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Nitrate | 1925 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Fluoride | 1710 | 0% | High | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 2 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Nitrite | 1881 | 0% | High | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 2 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 2 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 2 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 2 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 514 | — | High | Low | |
| pH | 485 | — | High | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 2 | — | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 414 | — | 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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