Groundwater in Chenango County contains manganese, radon, iron, arsenic, and chloride. Several of these contaminants exceed EPA health standards and warrant your attention.
The carbonate rock beneath this county naturally releases manganese and iron as water moves through it over time. Radon seeps into groundwater from radioactive minerals in the same rock. Arsenic and chloride can enter from both natural rock sources and human activities like road salt application.
Groundwater in this county is hard, driven by calcium and magnesium from the limestone bedrock below. As water dissolves through carbonate rock, these minerals accumulate in the water. Hard water is common across wells in Chenango County.
Radon, arsenic, chloride, and manganese are found at elevated levels in wells across Chenango County. Radon is a radioactive gas that enters groundwater from natural sources in the rock and increases your risk of lung cancer when you breathe it in over time. Arsenic is a toxic metal that can cause skin problems, digestive issues, and increase cancer risk with long-term exposure. Chloride and manganese at high levels can harm your health, affecting your kidneys and nervous system respectively.
Hard water is common in this county and causes practical problems in your home. You may see white scale buildup on faucets and inside pipes, and mineral deposits can reduce water flow in appliances. Hard water makes soap less effective for cleaning and laundry. The scale buildup can shorten the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers, forcing you to replace them sooner than normal.
We recommend testing your well with a comprehensive metals and radon panel, since multiple contaminants exceed EPA standards in county wells. Every well is different, and your water could have higher or lower levels than what is common here. Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your well so you can treat it properly. A comprehensive panel typically costs between two hundred and four hundred dollars. Treatment options like radon mitigation systems and water softeners can address these concerns once you know your specific results.
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 | 27 | 56% | Moderate | High | |
| Radon | 19 | 42% | Moderate | High ⓘ | |
| Iron | 29 | 17% | Moderate | High | |
| Arsenic | 24 | 4% | Moderate |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Chloride | 30 | 3% | Moderate |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Fluoride | 27 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 6 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Lead | 24 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrate | 27 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrite | 19 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 6 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 6 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 6 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 6 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 29 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Uranium | 19 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Total Coliform | 5* | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 28 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| pH | 38 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 6 | — | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 29 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Fecal Coliform | 5* | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| E. coli | 5* | 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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