Groundwater in Cayuga County contains radon, manganese, iron, chloride, fluoride, and sulfate. Several of these contaminants exceed EPA health standards and warrant attention.
These contaminants come from the sandstone bedrock beneath the county. As water moves through cracks and layers in the sandstone, it dissolves minerals and picks up radon from natural radioactive decay within the rock. Chloride can also enter from road salt and other land sources.
Groundwater in this county is very hard, driven by calcium and magnesium that the sandstone releases into the water. The sandstone rock naturally contains these minerals, and long contact between water and rock allows them to dissolve. Very hard water is widespread across wells in this county.
Wells in Cayuga County commonly contain chloride, iron, manganese, sulfate, fluoride, and radon at levels exceeding EPA health standards. Chloride and sulfate at elevated levels can harm people with certain health conditions, particularly those on sodium-restricted diets. Manganese can affect brain development and nervous system function in children and infants. Fluoride in excess can cause dental fluorosis. Radon is a radioactive gas that increases lung cancer risk with long-term exposure.
County wells are very hard, which causes scale buildup inside pipes and water heaters that shortens the lifespan of appliances like dishwashers and water heaters. While iron levels in the county are generally low, the very hard water still creates ongoing maintenance issues. You may notice a chalky or crusty residue on fixtures and in kettles. Hard water also reduces how well soap and shampoo work.
Every well is different, and yours may have higher or lower levels than what is common in the county. We recommend a comprehensive metals and minerals panel to find out exactly what is in your water so it can be treated properly. Testing typically costs $200 to $400. Depending on your results, treatment options like water softeners for hardness and radon mitigation systems can address multiple concerns.
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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Radon | 18 | 39% | Moderate | High ⓘ | |
| Manganese | 35 | 29% | Moderate | High | |
| Iron | 36 | 22% | Moderate | High | |
| Sulfate | 41 | 7% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Chloride | 46 | 7% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Fluoride | 35 | 3% | Moderate | Low | |
| Arsenic | 24 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 12 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| Lead | 24 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrate | 34 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrite | 18 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 12 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 12 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 12 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 12 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| Uranium | 18 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Total Coliform | 9* | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 35 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| pH | 43 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 12 | — | Low | Safe | |
| Hardness | 41 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Fecal Coliform | 9* | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| E. coli | 9* | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ |
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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