Groundwater in Delaware County contains iron, manganese, and PFOA at levels that exceed EPA health standards. These contaminant levels are very high for iron and manganese, and PFOA is a serious synthetic chemical requiring immediate attention.
Iron and manganese dissolve naturally from the bedrock as groundwater moves slowly through cracks and fractures in the rock layers below. PFOA is a man-made chemical that enters groundwater from industrial activity, wastewater, or contaminated sites and persists in the environment. The combination of natural minerals and synthetic contamination makes this a complex water quality issue.
Groundwater in this county is very hard, with elevated calcium and magnesium from the limestone bedrock, and it also carries very high levels of iron. The water is sulfur-bearing as well, with sulfate levels that are high. These minerals concentrate as water sits in contact with the rock over long periods of time. Hard water and elevated iron are common across wells throughout Delaware County.
Wells in Delaware County commonly contain iron, manganese, and PFOA at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Iron and manganese are metals that build up in your body over time and can harm your nervous system and brain function. PFOA is a synthetic chemical linked to serious health concerns with long-term exposure. These three contaminants together make this a high-urgency situation for your family's water.
The mineral content in county wells also causes everyday problems. Water in this county is extremely hard, leaving thick white crusty buildup on faucets, showers, and inside pipes. Iron causes orange-brown staining on sinks, toilets, and laundry. High sulfate can give water a bitter taste or rotten-egg smell. This extreme hardness can shorten the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers.
We recommend testing your well with a comprehensive minerals and metals panel to see what is actually in your water. Every well is different, and yours may have higher or lower levels than what is common in the county. Testing is the only way to know for certain so your water can be properly treated. A comprehensive panel typically costs $200-400 and can guide you toward treatment options like whole-house filtration systems or water softeners combined with iron filters.
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 | 23 | 100% | Moderate | High | |
| Manganese | 23 | 96% | Moderate | High | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 14 | 7% | Low | Moderate | |
| Arsenic | 21 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Chloride | 23 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Fluoride | 17 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 14 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| Lead | 21 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrite | 2 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 14 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 14 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 14 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| Sulfate | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 23 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| pH | 20 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 14 | — | Low | Low | |
| Hardness | 18 | — | 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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