Herkimer County well owners should be aware of radon, iron, uranium, manganese, fluoride, sulfate, and chloride in their groundwater. Several of these contaminants exceed EPA health standards and warrant testing and attention.
The limestone and carbonate rock beneath this county naturally contains radioactive elements that break down into radon and uranium. Iron and manganese dissolve from minerals in the rock as slightly acidic water moves through cracks and spaces underground. Fluoride, sulfate, and chloride accumulate through natural mineral weathering and, in some cases, road salt or other land sources.
Groundwater in this county is soft, with moderate iron as the primary mineral character. Soft water reflects the carbonate rock's composition, which releases fewer minerals that cause hardness. Moderate iron shows up across many wells in this county, making it a common feature of Herkimer's groundwater.
Fluoride, radon, uranium, manganese, sulfate, and chloride exceed EPA health standards in wells across Herkimer County. Radon and uranium are radioactive elements that can increase your risk of lung cancer and kidney damage with long-term exposure. Manganese at elevated levels can affect the nervous system. Fluoride in excess can cause dental and skeletal problems. These contaminants pose real health concerns for your household.
Iron in county well water causes orange or brown staining on sinks, tubs, and laundry. You may notice a metallic taste or odor in your water. The good news is that wells in this county tend to be soft, so you won't experience scale buildup or shortened appliance lifespan from hardness.
Because multiple contaminants exceed health standards, we recommend a comprehensive metals and minerals panel to find out what is actually in your well--testing is the only way to know. Every well is different, and yours could have higher or lower levels than what is common in the county. A comprehensive panel typically costs between $200 and $400. Treatment options like radon mitigation systems, uranium removal filters, and manganese treatment can address 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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Radon | 34 | 41% | Moderate | High ⓘ | |
| Iron | 72 | 18% | Moderate | High | |
| Manganese | 62 | 8% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Fluoride | 62 | 3% | Moderate |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Uranium | 32 | 3% | Moderate |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Sulfate | 449 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Chloride | 447 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Arsenic | 42 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 16 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Lead | 42 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrate | 439 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Nitrite | 40 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 16 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 16 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 16 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 16 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Total Coliform | 11* | 0% | Low | Low | |
| Sodium | 446 | — | High | Low | |
| pH | 476 | — | High | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 16 | — | Moderate | Safe | |
| Hardness | 449 | — | High | Low | |
| Fecal Coliform | 11* | 0% | Low | Low | |
| E. coli | 10* | 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…