Bergen County groundwater contains pfoa, pfos, radon, and numerous other contaminants including sulfate, arsenic, chloride, iron, lead, manganese, nitrate, and uranium. Many of these contaminants exceed EPA health standards and warrant immediate attention from well owners.
These contaminants come from mixed sources. Radon seeps naturally from the bedrock. Pfoa and pfos are industrial chemicals that have entered groundwater from manufacturing and contaminated sites. Road salt applied to roads and parking lots introduces chloride and sulfate. Lead enters from old pipes and fixtures in homes. Iron, manganese, and other metals dissolve naturally from the rock as water moves through it underground.
Groundwater in this county is hard, driven by elevated calcium and magnesium. The fractured rock beneath Bergen County naturally releases these minerals as water passes through. Hard water is a common characteristic across wells throughout the county.
Wells in Bergen County commonly exceed EPA health standards for multiple contaminants. Arsenic, lead, uranium, and radon pose serious health risks to your family. Arsenic damages the kidneys and increases cancer risk. Lead harms children's brain development and affects the nervous system in adults. Uranium is radioactive and damages the kidneys. Radon is a radioactive gas that increases lung cancer risk. Additionally, PFOA, PFOS, and PFHXS are industrial chemicals linked to health problems including thyroid disease and immune system damage. Nitrate and sulfate at elevated levels can affect infants and people with certain health conditions.
Hard water in Bergen County wells can create scale buildup on pipes, fixtures, and inside appliances like water heaters and dishwashers, shortening their lifespan. You may notice rust-colored or brown staining on laundry, dishes, and bathroom fixtures from elevated iron. The water can taste metallic or bitter, and mineral deposits can clog aerators and reduce water pressure over time.
We recommend a comprehensive water test for metals, minerals, and chemicals. Every well is different--your well may have higher or lower levels than what is common in the county. Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your water so it can be properly treated. A comprehensive panel typically costs $200 to $400. Treatment options like reverse osmosis systems, activated carbon filters, and water softeners can address these concerns depending on your specific results.
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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 192 | 73% | High | High | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 191 | 49% | High | High | |
| Radon | 32 | 12% | Moderate | Moderate ⓘ | |
| Chloride | 209 | 10% | High | Moderate | |
| Manganese | 187 | 9% | High | Moderate | |
| Lead | 159 | 7% | High | Moderate | |
| Iron | 187 | 5% | High | Moderate | |
| Uranium | 44 | 5% | Moderate |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Arsenic | 72 | 4% | Moderate |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Sulfate | 209 | 3% | High | Low | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 189 | 1% | High | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 191 | 1% | High | Low | |
| Nitrate | 209 | 1% | High | Low | |
| Fluoride | 188 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Nitrite | 188 | 0% | High | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 192 | 0% | High | Safe | |
| Hardness | 202 | — | High | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 191 | — | High | Low | |
| Sodium | 195 | — | High | Low | |
| pH | 230 | — | 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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