Groundwater in Hudson County contains PFOA, PFOS, manganese, chloride, iron, and sulfate at levels that exceed EPA health standards. These contaminants are present at concerning concentrations that require your attention.
The bedrock beneath Hudson County is early Mesozoic basin rock, which naturally releases iron, manganese, and sulfate into groundwater. PFOA and PFOS are industrial chemicals that entered the water through contamination from manufacturing sites, military installations, and landfills common to this densely developed urban area. Road salt applied to highways and streets contributes chloride to groundwater, especially near major transportation corridors.
Groundwater in this county is very hard, driven by elevated sodium, sulfate, and iron concentrations. The basin rock naturally dissolves and releases these minerals into the water as it flows through. These characteristics appear across many wells in Hudson County, though individual wells vary in their specific contaminant profiles.
Chloride, PFOS, PFOA, iron, manganese, and sulfate all exceed EPA health standards in wells across Hudson County. Chloride and sulfate at these levels can affect people with heart and kidney conditions. PFOS and PFOA are industrial chemicals that can harm your immune system and liver. Iron and manganese can damage your nervous system and affect how your body develops, especially in children.
Wells in this county are very hard, which means scale builds up fast on faucets, showerheads, and inside pipes. Very hard water shortens the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers. You may notice rust-colored or brown staining on laundry, dishes, and bathroom fixtures. The water may have a metallic or salty taste.
Every well is different, and 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 treated properly. We recommend a comprehensive metals and chemicals panel since multiple contaminants exceed standards here; this typically costs $200-400. Treatment options include reverse osmosis systems or water softening combined with activated carbon filters.
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 | 30 | 90% | Moderate | High | |
| Manganese | 17 | 76% | Moderate | High | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 29 | 52% | Moderate | High | |
| Iron | 17 | 41% | Moderate | High | |
| Chloride | 17 | 29% | Moderate | High | |
| Sulfate | 17 | 12% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Fluoride | 17 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 30 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Nitrite | 13 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| Uranium | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 30 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 28 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrate | 16 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Lead | 13 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| Arsenic | 13 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| Hardness | 17 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Sodium | 17 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| pH | 19 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 30 | — | 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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