Somerset County's groundwater contains pfoa, pfos, sulfate, arsenic, chloride, iron, lead, manganese, and nitrate at levels that exceed EPA health standards. These contaminants demand your attention and your well should be tested.
The rock beneath Somerset County is ancient crystalline stone that naturally releases iron and manganese as water moves through it. Lead and arsenic also come from minerals in this rock. Pfoa and pfos are industrial chemicals that enter groundwater through contaminated sites and landfills. Nitrate and chloride come from road salt, septic systems, and fertilizer use on the land above.
Somerset County's groundwater is hard, driven by calcium and magnesium dissolved from the crystalline rock below. As water slowly passes through these minerals, it picks up these elements and carries them into your well. Hard water is widespread across wells in this county.
Wells in Somerset County commonly exceed EPA health standards for several contaminants. PFOS, PFOA, arsenic, lead, and nitrate can damage your nervous system and kidneys, and some raise cancer risk over time. Arsenic is especially harmful because it builds up in your body. Lead harms children's brain development and affects adults' blood pressure and kidneys. PFOS and PFOA are industrial chemicals that don't break down in the environment or your body.
County wells are moderately hard, which means mineral buildup can shorten the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers. You may notice white scale on faucets and showerheads, or reduced water pressure as deposits clog pipes. Hard water can also make soap less effective and leave spots on dishes and glassware.
Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your well, since every well is different and yours could have higher or lower levels than what is common here. We recommend a comprehensive metals and minerals panel to check for all these contaminants, which typically costs between $200 and $400. Treatment options like reverse osmosis systems and 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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 55 | 65% | Moderate | High | |
| Manganese | 81 | 22% | Moderate | High | |
| Iron | 82 | 15% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Arsenic | 64 | 12% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Sulfate | 83 | 11% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Chloride | 83 | 8% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 55 | 7% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Nitrate | 75 | 5% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Lead | 66 | 2% | Moderate | Low | |
| Uranium | 19 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Fluoride | 69 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 55 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Nitrite | 70 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Radon | 2 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 54 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 53 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| pH | 108 | — | High | Low | |
| Sodium | 81 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 52 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Hardness | 82 | — | 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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