Groundwater in Broome County contains manganese, iron, radon, arsenic, chloride, and PFOA and PFOS at levels that exceed EPA health standards. These contaminant levels are concerning enough to require testing and possible treatment.
The county sits on fractured rock with mixed composition that naturally releases radon, iron, and manganese as water moves slowly through cracks and spaces underground. Road salt applied during winter months seeps down and adds chloride to the groundwater. PFOA and PFOS are industrial chemicals that have entered some wells through contamination separate from natural rock sources.
Groundwater in this county is hard, driven by elevated calcium and magnesium that dissolve from the rock as water passes through it. The mixed rock types here concentrate these minerals naturally over time. Hard water is common across wells in Broome County based on the measured hardness levels.
Wells in Broome County commonly contain radon, arsenic, chloride, iron, and manganese at levels exceeding EPA health standards. Radon is a radioactive gas that increases lung cancer risk with long-term exposure. Arsenic can damage your kidneys and other organs over years of exposure. Manganese may harm brain development and nervous system function. Chloride at elevated levels can damage your kidneys and cardiovascular system with long-term drinking.
County well water shows moderate iron levels that cause staining and discoloration. You may notice rust-colored stains on fixtures and laundry, or a metallic taste in your water. The moderately hard water in this county can shorten the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers. Iron buildup inside pipes can reduce water flow over time.
We recommend testing your well with a comprehensive metals and radon panel to learn what is actually in your water. Every well is different, and your well may have higher or lower levels than what is common in the county. Testing through a certified lab is the only way to know what treatment your specific well needs. A comprehensive panel typically costs $200-400 and can identify treatment options like radon aeration systems or activated carbon filters.
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 | 96 | 61% | Moderate | High | |
| Iron | 105 | 37% | High | High | |
| Radon | 19 | 32% | Moderate | High ⓘ | |
| Chloride | 131 | 8% | High | Moderate | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 32 | 6% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 32 | 6% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Arsenic | 47 | 4% | Moderate |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Sulfate | 112 | 2% | High | Low | |
| Fluoride | 93 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 32 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Lead | 48 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrate | 79 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrite | 39 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 32 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 32 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Uranium | 37 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Fecal Coliform | 4* | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| E. coli | 4* | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Total Coliform | 4* | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 95 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| pH | 152 | — | High | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 32 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Hardness | 127 | — | 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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