Well Water in Monmouth County: What to Test and Why

High Risk
Testing Strongly Recommended 130860 samples analyzed
Top Concerns in This County
Manganese Iron Pfoa

Why This Happens Here

Groundwater in Monmouth County contains manganese, iron, chloride, sulfate, lead, PFOA, and PFOS. Several of these contaminants exceed EPA health standards, which means your well water needs attention.

These contaminants come from two sources. Iron and manganese occur naturally in the sand and gravel layers that hold your county's groundwater. Chloride and sulfate seep in from road salt, septic systems, and ocean saltwater that moves inland near the coast. Lead enters from old household pipes and plumbing. PFOA and PFOS come from industrial activity and firefighting foam used at airports and military sites.

Groundwater in this county is very high in iron. The sandy aquifer below naturally releases iron into the water as it filters down through the soil. Iron is common across wells throughout Monmouth County.

What This Means for You

Wells in Monmouth County commonly exceed EPA health standards for chloride, sulfate, iron, manganese, lead, PFOA, and PFOS. Lead damages the nervous system and brain development in children, even at low levels. Manganese harms brain development in infants and young children. PFOA and PFOS are human-made chemicals linked to serious health problems including cancer, liver damage, and immune system harm. Chloride and sulfate at elevated levels can affect people with heart disease, high blood pressure, or kidney problems.

Iron and manganese in wells here create visible staining on clothes, fixtures, and plumbing. You may notice rust-colored or brown water and a metallic taste. These minerals can clog pipes and reduce the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers. The sodium present adds a salty taste to your water.

We recommend a comprehensive metals and minerals panel to find out what is actually in your well, since every well is different and your contamination levels may be higher or lower than the county average. Testing is the only way to know what treatment your family needs. A comprehensive panel typically costs between $200 and $400. Treatment options like reverse osmosis systems or activated carbon filters can remove 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 Detection Data

Contaminant Samples % Above MCL Distribution Confidence Risk
Manganese 7 83%
Low High
Iron 80 76%
Moderate High
PFOA ⓘ municipal 176 40%
High High
Chloride 126 29%
High High
Sulfate 81 14%
Moderate Moderate
Lead 74 14%
Moderate Moderate
PFOS ⓘ municipal 176 3%
High Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal 176 0%
High Safe
PFHxS ⓘ municipal 176 0%
High Low
Arsenic 4 0%
Low Low
Radon 5 0%
Low Low
Uranium 11 0%
Low Low
Nitrite 4 0%
Low Low
PFNA ⓘ municipal 176 0%
High Safe
Sodium 114 High Low
Fluoride 1 0%
Low Safe
pH 24 Moderate Low
Nitrate 1 0%
Low Safe
Total Coliform 1 0%
Low Safe
Nitrite 1 0%
Low Safe
Fecal Coliform 1 0%
Low Safe
E. coli 1 0%
Low Safe
PFBS ⓘ municipal 176
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.

Data shows potential risk — a certified test confirms whether your water is affected.

Order a Tap Score Test →

Population Health Context

Population-level CDC data. Not individual risk prediction.

4.9%
Heart Disease Rate
(state avg: 5.8%)
7.4%
Cancer Prevalence
(state avg: 6.2%)

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