Groundwater in Passaic County contains PFOA, PFOS, manganese, chloride, iron, lead, sulfate, and radon. Several of these contaminants exceed EPA health standards and require attention from well owners.
PFOA and PFOS come from industrial manufacturing and historical disposal practices in this densely developed area. Manganese, iron, and sulfate dissolve naturally from the bedrock as slightly acidic groundwater moves through it. Chloride enters from road salt spread on highways and local roads during winter. Lead typically leaches from older household plumbing and fixtures. Radon seeps naturally from radioactive elements in the rock below.
Groundwater in this county is hard, driven by elevated calcium and magnesium from the rock. The slightly acidic rainwater that seeps down dissolves these minerals as it passes through, concentrating them over time. Hard water is common across wells throughout Passaic County.
Wells in Passaic County commonly exceed EPA health standards for several contaminants. PFOA and PFOS are industrial chemicals that can build up in your body over time and are linked to health problems. Lead damages children's brain development and nervous system function. Radon is a radioactive gas that increases lung cancer risk with long-term exposure. Chloride, iron, manganese, and sulfate at elevated levels can also harm your health with extended exposure.
County wells have moderately hard water, which causes white scale buildup on faucets and showerheads. You may notice rust-colored staining on laundry and dishes from iron, and a metallic or unpleasant taste in your water. Hard water shortens the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers because mineral buildup clogs pipes and reduces efficiency.
We recommend a comprehensive metals and chemicals test since multiple contaminants exceed health standards in this county. Every well is different, and your water could have higher or lower levels than what is common here. Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your well so you can treat it properly. A comprehensive panel typically costs $200-400 and can identify all the contaminants present. Treatment options include activated carbon filters for chemicals and water softeners for hardness.
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 | 108 | 69% | High | High | |
| Manganese | 67 | 37% | Moderate | High | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 108 | 30% | High | High | |
| Radon | 12 | 25% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Iron | 67 | 15% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Chloride | 67 | 7% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Sulfate | 67 | 4% | Moderate |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Lead | 50 | 4% | Moderate |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Arsenic | 51 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 108 | 0% | High | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 107 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Fluoride | 61 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 108 | 0% | High | Safe | |
| Nitrite | 61 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Uranium | 14 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| Nitrate | 70 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Sodium | 63 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| pH | 75 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 108 | — | High | Low | |
| Hardness | 62 | — | 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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