Groundwater in Greene County contains manganese, iron, nitrate, and PFOS at levels that exceed EPA health standards. These contaminants are present at concerning levels that warrant attention from well owners.
Manganese and iron seep into groundwater naturally from the sand and clay layers beneath the county. Nitrate enters from fertilizer use and septic systems in the area. PFOS, an industrial chemical, persists in groundwater from past manufacturing or contamination sources and does not break down easily in the environment.
Groundwater in this county is soft but elevated in iron, driven by the natural minerals in the sandy and clay layers of the Northern Atlantic Coastal Plain. Iron accumulates here because rainwater percolates through iron-bearing sand and releases the metal into the water supply. Elevated iron is widespread across wells throughout the county.
Wells in Greene County commonly have iron, manganese, nitrate, and PFOS at levels above EPA health standards. Iron and manganese can affect the blood and organs over time. Nitrate is especially harmful to infants and can interfere with how the body uses oxygen. PFOS is a human-made chemical that builds up in your body and can weaken your immune system.
County well water tends to be soft, which is actually good for preventing scale buildup in pipes and appliances. However, iron in the water can leave rust-colored stains on sinks, toilets, and laundry. You might notice a metallic taste or smell in the water. Iron can also clog pipes and damage water-using appliances over time.
Every well is different, and your well may have higher or lower levels than what is common here. 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 chemical panel to check for all these contaminants. A comprehensive panel typically costs between two hundred and four hundred dollars. Treatment options like reverse osmosis filters or activated carbon can help remove 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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manganese | 214 | 41% | High | High | |
| Iron | 320 | 38% | High | High | |
| Nitrate | 332 | 29% | High | High | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 22 | 5% | Moderate |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Arsenic | 15 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Chloride | 321 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Fluoride | 212 | 0% | High | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 22 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Lead | 15 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrite | 320 | 0% | High | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 22 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 22 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 22 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Sulfate | 322 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Uranium | 15 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Sodium | 279 | — | High | Low | |
| pH | 426 | — | High | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 22 | — | Moderate | Safe | |
| Hardness | 295 | — | 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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