Groundwater in Steuben County contains manganese, radon, iron, arsenic, chloride, nitrate, pfoa, pfos, and sulfate. Several of these contaminants exceed EPA health standards and demand your attention.
The fractured rock beneath this county naturally releases these contaminants into the water. Manganese and iron dissolve as water moves through the bedrock layers. Radon seeps in from radioactive elements trapped in the rock. Chloride enters from road salt spread on winter roads and agricultural uses. Arsenic, nitrate, and other compounds come from the rock itself and from human activity on the land above.
Groundwater in this county is very hard, driven by elevated calcium and magnesium from the bedrock below. This hardness comes from water dissolving minerals as it passes through the rock layers over time. Very hard water with moderate iron is widespread across wells throughout the county.
Arsenic, chloride, iron, manganese, nitrate, PFOA, PFOS, radon, and sulfate exceed EPA health standards in wells across Steuben County. Arsenic builds up in your body over time and increases cancer risk. Radon is a radioactive gas that can cause lung cancer when you breathe air released from water. Manganese can affect brain development and the nervous system. Nitrate harms infants and people with certain health conditions. PFOA and PFOS are industrial chemicals linked to serious health effects.
The water in this county is very hard, which causes white scale buildup inside pipes and appliances. Iron stains sinks, toilets, and laundry orange-brown. You may notice a metallic or bitter taste in your water. Very hard water also shortens the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers.
Because multiple contaminants exceed health standards, we recommend a comprehensive metals and minerals panel to test your well. Your well is unique and may have higher or lower levels than what is common in the county. Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your water so it can be treated properly. A comprehensive panel typically costs $200-400 and can check for all these contaminants. Treatment options like whole-house filtration systems and radon aeration can address multiple concerns at once.
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 | 86 | 43% | Moderate | High | |
| Radon | 40 | 40% | Moderate | High ⓘ | |
| Iron | 90 | 26% | Moderate | High | |
| Chloride | 106 | 8% | High | Moderate | |
| Sulfate | 104 | 7% | High | Moderate | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 28 | 4% | Moderate |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 28 | 4% | Moderate |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Arsenic | 33 | 3% | Moderate |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Nitrate | 94 | 1% | Moderate | Low | |
| Fluoride | 87 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 28 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Lead | 54 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrite | 44 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 28 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 28 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Uranium | 40 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| E. coli | 7* | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Fecal Coliform | 7* | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 105 | — | High | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 28 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| pH | 103 | — | High | Low | |
| Sodium | 94 | — | 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.
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