Groundwater in Monmouth County contains manganese, iron, lead, arsenic, chloride, nitrate, sulfate, pfoa, and pfos. Multiple contaminants exceed EPA health standards, making testing and treatment important for your well.
These contaminants come from different sources. Iron and manganese occur naturally in the sand and gravel layers of the aquifer beneath the county. Lead and arsenic dissolve from minerals in the rock. Chloride enters from road salt and saltwater intrusion near coastal areas. Nitrate and sulfate come from agricultural and urban land use. Pfoa and pfos are industrial chemicals that have contaminated groundwater through industrial activity and improper disposal.
Groundwater in Monmouth County is marked by very high iron, the dominant mineral that shapes water character in this area. Iron concentrates in the water because the sandy aquifer naturally releases it as water moves through the sediment and rock. These elevated iron levels show up across many wells throughout the county.
Wells in Monmouth County commonly exceed EPA health standards for lead, arsenic, chloride, iron, manganese, PFOA, PFOS, sulfate, and nitrate. Lead damages the developing brain in children and increases cancer risk in adults. Arsenic causes cancer and organ damage over time. Manganese harms brain development in young children. PFOA and PFOS are industrial chemicals that build up in the body and can affect the immune system, liver, and thyroid. Nitrate is especially dangerous for infants and can cause serious illness.
County wells often contain very high iron levels that create rust-colored staining on sinks, toilets, and laundry. You may notice a metallic or bitter taste in the water. Iron buildup can clog pipes and reduce water flow. The good news is that the water here is soft, so you won't see the heavy scale and mineral deposits that plague harder water areas.
We recommend a comprehensive metals and minerals panel to find out what is actually in your well--every well is different, and your water may have higher or lower levels than what is common in the county. Testing is the only way to know what needs treatment. A comprehensive panel runs $200 to $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 | Samples ⓘ | % Above MCL ⓘ | Distribution ⓘ | Confidence ⓘ | Risk ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manganese | 288 | 73% | High | High | |
| Iron | 293 | 71% | High | High | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 188 | 41% | High | High | |
| Lead | 184 | 7% | High | Moderate | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 186 | 4% | High |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Chloride | 1991 | 3% | High |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Sulfate | 327 | 2% | High | Low | |
| Arsenic | 138 | 1% | High | Low | |
| Nitrate | 265 | 1% | High | Low | |
| Nitrite | 206 | 0% | High | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 188 | 0% | High | Safe | |
| Radon | 6 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Fluoride | 272 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Uranium | 12 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 187 | 0% | High | Low | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 188 | 0% | High | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 185 | — | High | Low | |
| pH | 854 | — | High | Low | |
| Sodium | 384 | — | High | Low | |
| Hardness | 306 | — | 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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