Groundwater in Northampton County contains iron, manganese, nitrate, and PFOS. Iron and manganese exceed EPA health standards at moderate levels, while nitrate and PFOS also exceed safe limits, requiring attention from well owners.
Iron and manganese come from the sand and clay layers beneath the county. As groundwater moves slowly through these layers, it dissolves iron and manganese from the rock minerals. Nitrate enters from agricultural and septic sources in the area. PFOS is a human-made chemical that has contaminated groundwater, likely from industrial or military sites and firefighting activities.
Groundwater in this county is soft, with iron and sodium as the main minerals of note. Iron dissolves naturally from the sandy layers as water passes through them, while sodium accumulates in the groundwater over time. Most wells in Northampton County show these mineral characteristics, though individual wells vary in their exact composition.
Wells in Northampton County commonly contain iron, manganese, nitrate, and PFOS at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Iron and manganese can affect the nervous system and cause developmental problems, especially in children and infants. Nitrate interferes with how blood carries oxygen throughout your body. PFOS is a manufactured chemical linked to liver damage, thyroid problems, and immune system effects.
The iron and manganese in county wells create visible staining on fixtures, laundry, and dishes. You may notice a metallic or bitter taste in your water. Iron can also reduce water pressure by clogging pipes and screens. The good news is that county groundwater is soft, so you won't deal with scale buildup that shortens appliance life.
We recommend a comprehensive metals and minerals panel to find out exactly what is in your well, since every well is different and yours may have higher or lower levels than what is common here. Testing is the only way to know what treatment your water actually needs. A comprehensive panel typically costs between two hundred and four hundred dollars. Treatment options like iron filters and reverse osmosis systems can address multiple 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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 12 | 25% | Low | High | |
| Iron | 17 | 24% | Moderate | High | |
| Manganese | 10 | 10% | Low | Moderate | |
| Nitrate | 20 | 5% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Chloride | 20 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Fluoride | 16 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 12 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 12 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 12 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 12 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| Sulfate | 19 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Hardness | 20 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 12 | — | Low | Safe | |
| pH | 10 | — | Low | Low | |
| Sodium | 7 | — | Low | 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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