Groundwater in Oneida County contains manganese, iron, and PFOA that well owners should be aware of. Iron and manganese exceed EPA health standards, and PFOA is also present at levels above the standard.
The rock beneath this county naturally releases iron and manganese as groundwater seeps through it. PFOA is a human-made chemical that enters groundwater from industrial sources and contaminated sites. The local geology creates conditions where these metals dissolve into the water over time.
Groundwater in this county is soft, with high iron as the main mineral character. Iron concentrates in the bedrock and dissolves into water as it moves through the rock layers. High iron levels show up across many wells in this county.
Wells in Oneida County commonly exceed EPA health standards for iron, manganese, and a group of chemicals called PFAS (which includes PFHXS, PFNA, PFOA, and PFOS). Iron and manganese at elevated levels can cause stomach problems and affect how your body absorbs other nutrients. PFAS chemicals are human-made and persist in the body over time; exposure has been linked to effects on the immune system, liver function, and thyroid health.
The high iron in county wells causes orange-brown staining on fixtures, laundry, and dishes that is hard to remove. You may notice a metallic taste or odor in the water. The good news is that the water here is soft, so you won't experience scale buildup on pipes and appliances the way people in harder-water areas do.
We recommend testing your well with a comprehensive metals and minerals panel to find out exactly what is in your water, since every well is different and yours may have higher or lower levels than what is common in the county. Testing is the only way to know what treatment your specific well needs. A comprehensive panel typically costs between $200 and $400. Iron and manganese removal systems, along with activated carbon filters for PFAS reduction, are treatment options worth discussing with a water professional.
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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manganese | 23 | 70% | Moderate | High | |
| Iron | 23 | 57% | Moderate | High | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 17 | 29% | Moderate | High | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 17 | 12% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 17 | 6% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 17 | 6% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Arsenic | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Chloride | 38 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Fluoride | 21 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 17 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Lead | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Nitrate | 23 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrite | 13 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| Sulfate | 23 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Hardness | 23 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 17 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| pH | 53 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Sodium | 23 | — | 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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