Groundwater in Ulster County contains radon, arsenic, chloride, iron, manganese, nitrate, pfoa, pfos, and sulfate. Several of these contaminants exceed EPA health standards and warrant attention.
These contaminants come from different sources. Radon, iron, and manganese dissolve naturally from the carbonate rock and surrounding minerals as water moves through the ground. Arsenic, nitrate, chloride, and sulfate can enter groundwater from land use--road salt, fertilizers, septic systems, and industrial activity--and also occur naturally in some rock layers.
Groundwater in this county is moderately hard, driven by elevated calcium and magnesium from the carbonate rock below. Iron at moderate levels also contributes to the water's mineral character. As slightly acidic rainwater dissolves through limestone and other carbonate layers, these minerals concentrate in the water. These characteristics are common across many wells in the county, though every well's exact composition varies.
Wells in Ulster County commonly exceed EPA health standards for multiple contaminants. Arsenic, chloride, nitrate, PFOA, and PFOS can build up in your body over time and increase cancer risk. Radon is a radioactive gas that enters water from rock underground and increases lung cancer risk when you breathe it in. Manganese at elevated levels can affect how your nervous system works, especially in children.
Moderately hard water in this county can cause visible problems around your home. Iron creates reddish-brown stains on sinks, toilets, and laundry that are hard to clean away. You may notice a metallic taste in your water or staining inside pipes and appliances. Over time, scale buildup from hardness can shorten the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers.
We recommend a comprehensive metals and radon panel to find out what is actually in your well, since every well is different and yours could have higher or lower levels than what is common in the county. A comprehensive panel typically costs $200-400. Testing is the only way to know what needs treatment, and treatment options like activated carbon filters and radon mitigation systems can address multiple contaminants.
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 | 17 | 47% | Moderate | High ⓘ | |
| Manganese | 95 | 44% | Moderate | High | |
| Iron | 102 | 28% | High | High | |
| Arsenic | 95 | 5% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 35 | 3% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 35 | 3% | Moderate | Low | |
| Sulfate | 1770 | 1% | High | Low | |
| Chloride | 1776 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Nitrate | 1750 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Fluoride | 262 | 0% | High | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 35 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Lead | 95 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrite | 99 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 35 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 35 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Uranium | 87 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| E. coli | 5* | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Fecal Coliform | 5* | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 100 | — | High | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 35 | — | Moderate | Safe | |
| pH | 1754 | — | High | Low | |
| Sodium | 1680 | — | High | Low | |
| Total Coliform | 5* | 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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