Manganese, iron, chloride, lead, and radon are present in Chemung County groundwater at levels that exceed EPA health standards. These contaminants require your attention and testing.
The fractured rock beneath this county naturally contains manganese and iron, which dissolve into groundwater as water moves slowly through cracks in the stone. Chloride enters from road salt spread on highways and roads during winter months. Lead can come from old metal pipes in some wells. Radon seeps in from natural radioactive elements in the bedrock.
Groundwater in this county is hard, driven by elevated calcium and magnesium from the surrounding rock, and also contains moderate iron. As water passes through the fractured bedrock, these minerals dissolve and accumulate in the water supply. Hard water with moderate iron is a widespread characteristic across wells in Chemung County.
Chemung County wells commonly exceed EPA health standards for chloride, iron, lead, manganese, and radon. Lead damages brain development in children and harms the nervous system. Radon is a radioactive gas that increases lung cancer risk. Manganese affects how your nervous system works. Chloride at elevated levels can harm people with high blood pressure or heart conditions. Iron itself is not a direct health concern, but when present at high levels it indicates other risks.
The hard water in this county causes noticeable staining and scale buildup. Iron leaves orange or brown deposits on sinks, toilets, and laundry. You may notice a metallic taste in your water. Hard water also reduces how well soap works and can shorten the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers.
We recommend a comprehensive metals and minerals panel to find out what is actually in your well, since every well is different and yours may have higher or lower levels than what is common here. Testing is the only way to know what treatment your well needs. A comprehensive panel typically costs $200 to $400. Treatment options like radon aeration systems, water softeners, and iron filters can address these 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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manganese | 42 | 36% | Moderate | High | |
| Iron | 67 | 33% | Moderate | High | |
| Chloride | 70 | 7% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Radon | 21 | 5% | Moderate |
Moderate
ⓘ
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Lead | 27 | 4% | Moderate |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Arsenic | 11 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| Fluoride | 42 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 15 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Nitrate | 42 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrite | 23 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 15 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 15 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 15 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 15 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Sulfate | 46 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Uranium | 21 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Total Coliform | 1* | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 43 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| pH | 81 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 15 | — | Moderate | Safe | |
| Hardness | 69 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Fecal Coliform | 1* | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| E. coli | 1* | 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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