Groundwater in Cumberland County contains iron, manganese, pfoa, pfos, arsenic, chloride, lead, nitrate, sulfate, fluoride, and radon. Multiple contaminants exceed EPA health standards, making testing and awareness important for well owners.
These contaminants come from different sources. Iron and manganese occur naturally when water passes through sandy underground layers that contain these minerals. Arsenic, chloride, and sulfate also come from natural rock and soil in this region. Pfoa and pfos are human-made chemicals that enter groundwater from industrial sites and contaminated areas. Nitrate and lead come from land use--fertilizers seeping down and old plumbing or pipes in homes and buildings.
Groundwater in this county is soft with moderate iron as the main mineral character. The sandy aquifer naturally releases iron as water moves through it over time. Iron is present across most wells in Cumberland County, though amounts vary from well to well.
Wells in Cumberland County carry several contaminants that exceed EPA health standards. Arsenic, lead, and radon are serious concerns because they can cause cancer and damage organs with long-term exposure. PFOA and PFOS are industrial chemicals linked to liver damage and other health problems. Nitrate harms infants and can reduce oxygen in the blood. Manganese and chloride at high levels also pose health risks to your family.
The moderate iron in county wells can stain your clothes, dishes, and bathroom fixtures with reddish-brown marks. You might notice a metallic taste in your water or a slight odor. Since your well water is soft, you won't experience the heavy scale buildup that hard water causes, so your appliances should have a normal lifespan.
Because Cumberland County wells show multiple contaminants exceeding standards, we recommend a comprehensive metals and minerals panel to understand exactly what is in your water. Your well is unique and may contain higher or lower levels than the county average, so testing is the only way to know what you're actually drinking. A comprehensive panel typically costs between two hundred and four hundred dollars. Treatment options like reverse osmosis or activated carbon filters 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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iron | 312 | 32% | High | High | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 53 | 30% | Moderate | High | |
| Manganese | 324 | 19% | High | High | |
| Nitrate | 315 | 15% | High | Moderate | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 52 | 13% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Radon | 117 | 9% | High | Moderate ⓘ | |
| Chloride | 514 | 9% | High | Moderate | |
| Lead | 204 | 3% | High |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Sulfate | 318 | 2% | High | Low | |
| Arsenic | 248 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Fluoride | 274 | 0% | High | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 53 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Nitrite | 292 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Uranium | 117 | 0% | High | Low | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 52 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 53 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Sodium | 343 | — | High | Low | |
| pH | 453 | — | High | Low | |
| E. coli | 4* | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 53 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Hardness | 309 | — | High | Low | |
| Total Coliform | 4* | 0% | 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.
Loading recent water news…