Groundwater in Cayuga County contains iron, radon, and chloride at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Chloride and iron are the most notable concerns, while radon is a radioactive gas present at elevated concentrations.
The sandstone bedrock beneath this county naturally contains these minerals and elements. As water filters down through the rock layers, it dissolves iron and picks up chloride from the surrounding geology. Radon seeps from radioactive minerals embedded in the sandstone itself. Road salt and other surface sources can also contribute chloride to groundwater in some areas.
Groundwater in this county is very hard, driven by elevated calcium and magnesium from the sandstone and surrounding rock. The sandstone releases these minerals as water moves through it over time. Very hard water is a widespread characteristic across wells in this county.
Wells in Cayuga County commonly have four contaminants at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Chloride and sulfate can harm people with certain heart and kidney conditions or those on sodium-restricted diets. Radon is a radioactive gas that enters groundwater naturally and builds up in homes, raising the risk of lung cancer over time. Iron above health limits can cause stomach problems and other internal issues with long-term exposure.
The very hard water in county wells creates everyday problems. Hard water leaves scale buildup inside pipes, water heaters, and dishwashers, shortening how long these appliances last. You may notice rust-colored staining on laundry, dishes, and bathroom fixtures from iron. The water might have a metallic or bitter taste, and soap will not work as well for cleaning.
We recommend testing your well with a comprehensive metals and minerals panel, since multiple contaminants are at play here. Every well is different, and your water could have higher or lower levels than what is common in the county. Testing costs between $200 and $400 and is the only way to know what is actually in your water so you can treat it properly. Depending on results, water softeners or radon aeration systems can help.
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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