Groundwater in Indiana County contains manganese, iron, radon, arsenic, chloride, lead, nitrate, PFOS, and sulfate at levels that exceed EPA health standards. These contaminant levels are serious and need your attention.
The Mississippian rock beneath this county naturally contains manganese and iron that dissolve into water as it moves slowly through cracks and spaces in the stone. Radon seeps from uranium present in the rock. Road salt applied to highways enters groundwater and adds chloride. Arsenic, lead, and nitrate come from natural rock sources and human activities like agriculture and old industrial sites.
Groundwater in this county is moderately hard, driven primarily by iron that dissolves from the Mississippian rock. The slow movement of water through these iron-bearing rock layers allows time for iron to accumulate in concentrations that stand out. These mineral characteristics show up across wells throughout the county.
Wells in Indiana County commonly exceed EPA health standards for arsenic, lead, radon, nitrate, and PFOS, along with elevated levels of manganese and chloride. Arsenic and lead damage brain development in children and can harm the nervous system with long-term exposure. Radon is a radioactive gas that increases lung cancer risk. Nitrate is especially dangerous for infants and can interfere with how blood carries oxygen. PFOS is a manufactured chemical linked to serious health effects including kidney and thyroid problems.
Your water is moderately hard, which means you will likely see white crusty scale buildup on pipes, faucets, and inside kettles. Iron at elevated levels causes orange or reddish-brown stains on sinks, toilets, and laundry. Hard water can shorten the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers over time. These mineral issues affect daily quality of life and increase maintenance on your home's plumbing and appliances.
We recommend testing your well with a comprehensive metals and radon panel to find out exactly what is in your water, since every well is different and your levels may be higher or lower than the county average. Testing is the only way to know what needs treatment. A comprehensive panel typically costs $200-400. Treatment options like activated carbon filters combined with aeration systems can address multiple contaminants 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 | 460 | 51% | High | High | |
| Iron | 462 | 38% | High | High | |
| Radon | 13 | 15% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 68 | 9% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Sulfate | 462 | 6% | High | Moderate | |
| Lead | 457 | 1% | High | Low | |
| Arsenic | 455 | 1% | High | Low | |
| Nitrate | 459 | 1% | High | Low | |
| Chloride | 461 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Fluoride | 456 | 0% | High | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 57 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Nitrite | 26 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 15 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 15 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 68 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Uranium | 23 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Sodium | 458 | — | High | Low | |
| pH | 466 | — | High | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 57 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Hardness | 461 | — | High | 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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