Groundwater in Middlesex County contains manganese, iron, fluoride, radon, arsenic, lead, nitrate, chloride, sulfate, and PFOA and PFOS compounds. Multiple contaminants in your county exceed EPA health standards, requiring your attention.
The bedrock here is Early Mesozoic basin rock, which naturally releases iron and manganese into water. Road salt and urban development add chloride and other contaminants. Industrial activity and improper disposal have introduced PFOA and PFOS. Radon seeps from naturally occurring uranium in the rock. Nitrate enters from septic systems and fertilizer use in developed areas.
Groundwater in this county is soft but marked by high iron. The basin rock dissolves iron minerals that accumulate in the water. Iron occurs across many wells throughout Middlesex County, though levels and other contaminants vary from well to well.
Wells in Middlesex County commonly exceed EPA health standards for multiple contaminants. Arsenic, lead, and radon pose serious health risks with long-term exposure. Fluoride at elevated levels affects bone and dental health. PFOA, PFOS, and related compounds are industrial chemicals that accumulate in your body and can harm your immune system and liver. Nitrate threatens infants and pregnant people. Chloride at high levels can affect people with heart or kidney conditions.
Iron in county wells creates rust-colored or brown staining on sinks, toilets, and laundry. You may notice a metallic taste in your water. The good news is that county wells are relatively soft, so you won't experience heavy scale buildup on pipes and appliances like homeowners in harder-water areas do.
Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your well so you can treat it properly. Your well is unique and may have higher or lower levels than what is common in the county. We recommend a comprehensive metals and minerals panel given the number of contaminants of concern here--typically $200-400. Treatment options like reverse osmosis systems or 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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manganese | 463 | 63% | High | High | |
| Iron | 473 | 54% | High | High | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 102 | 53% | High | High | |
| Radon | 43 | 21% | Moderate | High ⓘ | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 99 | 18% | Moderate | High | |
| Chloride | 3351 | 17% | High | High | |
| Lead | 391 | 9% | High | Moderate | |
| Nitrate | 435 | 5% | High | Moderate | |
| Sulfate | 484 | 5% | High |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 102 | 4% | High |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 101 | 2% | High | Low | |
| Arsenic | 165 | 1% | High | Low | |
| Fluoride | 331 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Uranium | 51 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrite | 389 | 0% | High | Low | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 99 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| pH | 980 | — | High | Low | |
| Sodium | 523 | — | High | Low | |
| Hardness | 476 | — | High | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 101 | — | 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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