Niagara County's groundwater contains arsenic, chloride, iron, lead, manganese, nitrate, and sulfate--all at levels that exceed EPA health standards. These contamination levels are serious enough to require your attention.
The rock beneath this county naturally releases many of these metals and minerals into the water. As water seeps down through the ground, it dissolves iron, manganese, and sulfate from the rock itself. Lead and arsenic also leach from the bedrock into wells. Nitrate and chloride can come from both natural sources in the soil and from human activities like road salt and fertilizer use.
Niagara County's water is very hard, with extremely high sulfate and elevated sodium and iron. The bedrock here contains minerals that dissolve easily in groundwater, releasing calcium, magnesium, and sulfate into wells. Most wells in this county show these same hard-water characteristics and elevated mineral levels, making this a widespread condition across the region.
Wells in Niagara County commonly exceed EPA health standards for arsenic, lead, nitrate, and chloride. Arsenic is toxic and can cause cancer with long-term exposure. Lead damages children's brains and kidneys even at low levels. Nitrate and chloride at elevated levels can harm health, especially for infants and people with certain medical conditions. Manganese in county wells can affect nervous system development in children.
The water in this county is extremely hard, which causes white scale buildup inside pipes and appliances. Iron stains laundry orange-brown and leaves rust-colored deposits on fixtures. High sulfate levels can give water a bitter taste or metallic smell. Very hard water shortens the lifespan of water heaters, dishwashers, and other appliances. Soap becomes less effective for cleaning.
We recommend testing your well with a comprehensive metals and minerals panel, 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 is actually in your water so you can treat it properly. A comprehensive panel typically costs $200 to $400. Water softening systems and treatment filters can address many of 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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sulfate | 119 | 67% | High | High | |
| Lead | 25 | 64% | Moderate | High | |
| Iron | 60 | 62% | Moderate | High | |
| Manganese | 35 | 60% | Moderate | High | |
| Chloride | 159 | 22% | High | High | |
| Arsenic | 24 | 12% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Nitrate | 44 | 2% | Moderate | Low | |
| Fluoride | 68 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 64 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Nitrite | 14 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 64 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 64 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 64 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 64 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Radon | 4 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Uranium | 4 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 119 | — | High | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 64 | — | Moderate | Safe | |
| pH | 139 | — | High | Low | |
| Sodium | 52 | — | Moderate | Low |
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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