Groundwater in Dauphin County contains manganese, iron, and PFOS at levels that exceed EPA health standards, along with arsenic, nitrate, and radon. These contaminant levels are serious and require testing and potential treatment.
Manganese and iron dissolve naturally from the carbonate rock layers beneath this county as groundwater moves slowly through cracks and fractures in the limestone. Arsenic, nitrate, and radon come from natural mineral sources and radioactive decay within the rock. PFOS likely enters from industrial or manufacturing sources on the land surface.
Groundwater in this county is hard, with elevated calcium and magnesium from the limestone bedrock, and carries very high iron that gives the water its mineral character. The carbonate rock readily releases these minerals as water passes through. These characteristics are common across wells throughout Dauphin County.
Wells in Dauphin County commonly contain arsenic, radon, and nitrate at levels exceeding EPA health standards, along with iron and manganese. Arsenic exposure over time can increase the risk of cancer and harm the kidneys and nervous system. Radon is a radioactive gas that enters groundwater naturally and increases lung cancer risk when breathed in from water during showers and baths. Nitrate is especially dangerous for infants and can interfere with how the body uses oxygen. Iron and manganese at elevated levels can affect the stomach and digestive system.
County well water tends to be very hard, which means white crusty scale builds up quickly inside pipes, water heaters, and dishwashers--shortening their lifespan. Iron causes orange-brown staining on sinks, toilets, and laundry. You may notice a metallic taste or rotten-egg smell from the combination of minerals in the water.
We recommend testing your well because every well is different and yours may have higher or lower levels than what is common in the county. Since multiple contaminants exceed health standards here, a comprehensive metals and radon panel is recommended, which typically costs $200-400. Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your water so it can be properly treated with systems like aeration combined with activated carbon 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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manganese | 266 | 61% | High | High | |
| Iron | 282 | 58% | High | High | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 245 | 30% | High | High | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 245 | 20% | High | High | |
| Radon | 47 | 15% | Moderate | Moderate ⓘ | |
| Arsenic | 77 | 8% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Nitrate | 118 | 1% | High | Low | |
| Chloride | 162 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Fluoride | 114 | 0% | High | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 204 | 0% | High | Safe | |
| Lead | 51 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrite | 66 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 40 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 40 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Sulfate | 253 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Uranium | 15 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Total Coliform | 4* | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 233 | — | High | Low | |
| pH | 296 | — | High | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 208 | — | High | Low | |
| Hardness | 118 | — | High | Low | |
| E. coli | 4* | 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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