Saratoga County groundwater contains arsenic, chloride, iron, manganese, nitrate, radon, and sulfate at levels that exceed EPA health standards. These contaminants are present at concentrations the EPA considers concerning enough to require action.
The limestone bedrock beneath this county naturally releases iron and manganese as slightly acidic water moves through cracks and dissolves the rock. Radon enters from the natural radioactive decay of uranium in that same bedrock. Chloride and sulfate come from road salt and other sources at the land surface that seep downward into the water supply. Nitrate and arsenic also occur naturally in some rock layers here.
Groundwater in this county is hard, driven by calcium and magnesium that dissolve from the limestone as water travels through it. Hard water is common across wells throughout Saratoga County, and many wells also show moderate amounts of iron. The combination of elevated hardness and moderate iron reflects the carbonate rock composition that fills this region.
Wells in Saratoga County commonly exceed EPA health standards for arsenic, nitrate, radon, and chloride. Arsenic builds up in your body over time and increases cancer risk. Nitrate is especially harmful to infants and can interfere with oxygen in the blood. Radon is a radioactive gas that enters your lungs when you breathe--long-term exposure raises lung cancer risk. Chloride at elevated levels can harm people with heart or kidney disease.
County well water is moderately hard, which means you may notice a metallic taste or see reddish staining on fixtures from iron. Scale can build up inside pipes and appliances, and hard water shortens the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers. You might also detect a sulfur smell in some areas. These issues make cleaning harder and reduce water flow over time.
We recommend testing your well with a comprehensive metals and radon panel, since multiple contaminants exceed health standards here. Every well is different--your water could have higher or lower levels than what is common in the county. Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your well so it can be properly treated. Iron filters and radon mitigation systems are common treatment options.
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 | 97 | 45% | Moderate | High | |
| Iron | 107 | 27% | High | High | |
| Radon | 60 | 10% | Moderate | Moderate ⓘ | |
| Arsenic | 80 | 5% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Chloride | 130 | 2% | High | Low | |
| Sulfate | 129 | 2% | High | Low | |
| Nitrate | 107 | 1% | High | Low | |
| Fluoride | 129 | 0% | High | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 85 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Lead | 80 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrite | 77 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 85 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 85 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 85 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 85 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Uranium | 68 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| E. coli | 13* | 0% | Low | Low | |
| Fecal Coliform | 13* | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| Hardness | 130 | — | High | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 85 | — | Moderate | Safe | |
| pH | 142 | — | High | Low | |
| Sodium | 103 | — | High | Low | |
| Total Coliform | 13* | 0% | Low | 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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