Groundwater in Orleans County contains radon, manganese, iron, arsenic, chloride, fluoride, lead, nitrate, and uranium at levels that exceed EPA health standards. These contaminants are present at concerning levels that well owners should test for and monitor.
The bedrock here is mixed rock types that naturally contain minerals and radioactive elements like uranium and radon. Iron and manganese come from the rock itself and from areas where groundwater sits in low-oxygen conditions underground. Arsenic and lead also occur naturally in the bedrock, while nitrate and chloride often come from septic systems and road salt use across the county.
Groundwater in this county is hard, driven by calcium and magnesium from the bedrock that dissolves as water moves through it. The rock types here release these minerals readily into the water. Hard water is very common across wells throughout Orleans County.
Wells in Orleans County have been found to contain arsenic, lead, uranium, and radon above EPA health standards. Arsenic and uranium are metals that can build up in your body over time and increase the risk of cancer. Lead harms children's brain development and learning. Radon is a radioactive gas that increases lung cancer risk, especially for smokers.
The county's wells also show elevated nitrate, chloride, fluoride, and manganese. Hard water is common here and can leave white scale on fixtures and inside pipes. It shortens the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers. You might notice staining from iron, though levels are generally low in the county.
We recommend testing your well with a comprehensive panel since multiple contaminants exceed health standards in county wells. Every well is different--yours could have higher or lower levels than what is common in the area. Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your water so you can treat it properly. A comprehensive metals and minerals panel typically costs $200 to $400. Treatment options like activated carbon filters or ion exchange systems can address many of these 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 | 214 | 100% | High | High ⓘ | |
| Manganese | 473 | 19% | High | High | |
| Iron | 338 | 17% | High | High | |
| Uranium | 768 | 6% | High | Moderate | |
| Arsenic | 1050 | 4% | High |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Lead | 1709 | 1% | High | Low | |
| Chloride | 911 | 1% | High | Low | |
| Nitrate | 1307 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Fluoride | 1152 | 0% | High | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 6 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Nitrite | 1254 | 0% | High | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 6 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 6 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 6 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 6 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 206 | — | High | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 6 | — | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| pH | 74 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Sodium | 322 | — | 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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