Chloride, iron, lead, manganese, radon, and sulfate are present in Schoharie County groundwater at levels that exceed EPA health standards. These contaminants demand attention from well owners in this area.
The limestone and carbonate rock beneath Schoharie County naturally releases iron and manganese as water moves through the stone. Radon seeps upward from radioactive minerals in the bedrock. Chloride, lead, and sulfate enter wells from road salt, corroded pipes and plumbing, and natural mineral deposits in the rocks. Low-oxygen conditions in the groundwater help these metals dissolve and stay dissolved.
Groundwater in this county is moderately hard, driven by calcium and magnesium from the carbonate rock below. Moderate iron levels are a natural feature of the local bedrock chemistry. These characteristics appear across many wells throughout the county, though levels vary from well to well.
Wells in Schoharie County exceed EPA health standards for chloride, iron, lead, manganese, radon, and sulfate. Lead damages the brain and nervous system, especially in children. Radon is a radioactive gas that increases lung cancer risk. Manganese can harm brain development and nervous system function. Chloride and sulfate at elevated levels pose health concerns for infants and people with certain medical conditions.
County well water shows moderate iron levels that cause orange or brown staining on fixtures, sinks, and laundry. The water is moderately hard, which can shorten the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers and leave scale buildup on pipes and appliances. Some people notice a metallic or unpleasant taste in the water.
Testing your well is the only way to know what is actually in it, since every well is different and your water could have higher or lower levels than what is common in the county. We recommend a comprehensive metals and radon panel to check for all the contaminants found in this area, which typically costs $200-400. Iron filters and water softeners can help address mineral concerns once testing shows what you are dealing with.
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 | 25 | 48% | Moderate | High | |
| Manganese | 25 | 44% | Moderate | High | |
| Radon | 18 | 33% | Moderate | High ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 25 | 8% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Chloride | 25 | 4% | Moderate |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Arsenic | 23 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Fluoride | 24 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 5 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Lead | 23 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrate | 25 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrite | 19 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 5 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 5 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 5 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 5 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Uranium | 18 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| E. coli | 7* | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Fecal Coliform | 7* | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 25 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 5 | — | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| pH | 25 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Sodium | 25 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Total Coliform | 7* | 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.
Loading recent water news…