Groundwater in Genesee County contains iron, manganese, radon, lead, nitrate, chloride, and sulfate. Several of these contaminants exceed EPA health standards and should concern well owners.
The limestone rock beneath this county naturally releases iron and manganese as water moves through it. Radon enters from radioactive uranium decay within the bedrock. Road salt and fertilizer runoff add chloride and nitrate to the groundwater in some areas.
Genesee County has very hard water driven by calcium and magnesium dissolved from the limestone aquifer below. The long contact time between water and limestone deposits these minerals into the groundwater. Most wells throughout the county show these hard-water characteristics.
Wells in Genesee County commonly exceed EPA health standards for manganese, lead, nitrate, radon, and iron. Manganese can harm brain development and nervous system function, especially in children. Lead damages the brain and kidneys and poses serious risks to growing children. Radon is a radioactive gas that increases lung cancer risk over time. Nitrate can affect how blood carries oxygen, particularly in infants. Iron and chloride at elevated levels can cause digestive problems in some people.
County well water is very hard, which causes white scale buildup inside pipes and appliances. You may notice orange or brown stains on laundry, sinks, and fixtures from iron. The water may taste bitter or have a metallic flavor. Very hard water also shortens the lifespan of water heaters, dishwashers, and other appliances because mineral deposits clog and damage them.
We recommend testing your well with a comprehensive metals and minerals panel, since several contaminants exceed standards in this county. Every well is different, and your well may have higher or lower levels than what is common here. Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your water so you can treat it properly. A comprehensive panel typically costs between two hundred and four hundred dollars. Water softeners, radon removal systems, and whole-house filters can address these concerns depending on your 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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iron | 38 | 58% | Moderate | High | |
| Manganese | 35 | 43% | Moderate | High | |
| Radon | 13 | 38% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 56 | 27% | Moderate | High | |
| Lead | 32 | 19% | Moderate | High | |
| Chloride | 56 | 7% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Nitrate | 39 | 3% | Moderate | Low | |
| Arsenic | 32 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Fluoride | 35 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 12 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| Nitrite | 24 | 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 | 21 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Total Coliform | 5* | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 35 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| pH | 56 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 12 | — | Low | Safe | |
| Hardness | 56 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Fecal Coliform | 5* | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| 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.
Loading recent water news…