Groundwater in Hunterdon County contains manganese, lead, radon, chloride, sulfate, uranium, and PFOA and PFOS. Several of these contaminants exceed EPA health standards and demand your attention.
These contaminants come from multiple sources in the local geology and human activity. Manganese, lead, and uranium dissolve naturally from the crystalline bedrock as groundwater moves through fractures and cracks. Radon forms from uranium decay within that same rock. Chloride and sulfate enter from road salt spread on highways and local roads, which seeps into the groundwater. PFOA and PFOS are industrial chemicals that have contaminated some wells through local land use.
Groundwater in this county is moderately hard, with iron and manganese as the main minerals that define its character. These metals dissolve from the iron-bearing minerals in the bedrock as water travels through it. Moderate iron and hardness are common across many wells in the county, though individual wells vary in their exact levels.
Wells in Hunterdon County commonly exceed EPA health standards for chloride, sulfate, PFOA, PFOS, manganese, lead, uranium, and radon. Radon is radioactive and increases lung cancer risk over time. Lead damages children's brains and development. PFOA and PFOS are industrial chemicals linked to thyroid disease, kidney problems, and immune system damage. Uranium and manganese pose serious health concerns at elevated levels.
County wells are moderately hard, which leaves white crusty scale on fixtures and in pipes. Iron at moderate levels stains sinks, toilets, and laundry orange or brown. Hard water can shorten the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers. You may notice a metallic or bitter taste in your water.
We recommend testing your well comprehensively because multiple serious contaminants exceed health standards here. Every well is different--yours could have much 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 you can treat it properly. A comprehensive metals and minerals panel typically costs $200 to $400. Treatment options like aeration systems and activated carbon filters 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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lead | 2 | 100% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Manganese | 3 | 100% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Radon | 47 | 64% | Moderate | High ⓘ | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 72 | 53% | Moderate | High | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 72 | 28% | Moderate | High | |
| Chloride | 86 | 14% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Sulfate | 69 | 12% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Uranium | 49 | 4% | Moderate |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Iron | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 72 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 72 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Fluoride | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Arsenic | 5 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Nitrite | 7 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 72 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrate | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Nitrite | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Total Coliform | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| E. coli | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 31 | — | — | Moderate | Low |
| Fecal Coliform | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 72 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Sodium | 83 | — | — | Moderate | Low |
| pH | 12 | — | — | 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.
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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