Groundwater in Juniata County contains radon, manganese, and iron that exceed EPA health standards. These contaminant levels are concerning enough to warrant testing and treatment.
The Valley and Ridge bedrock beneath this county naturally releases these metals and radon gas into groundwater. Iron and manganese dissolve from shale and other iron-bearing rock layers as water moves slowly through fractures deep underground. Radon escapes from tiny amounts of uranium present in the bedrock. These contaminants concentrate in groundwater because the fractured rock allows water to sit in contact with minerals for extended periods.
Groundwater in this county is hard, driven by calcium and magnesium from the limestone and carbonate layers mixed throughout the Valley and Ridge formation. The folded and fractured bedrock here allows minerals to dissolve readily into the water as it moves through the rock. These characteristics show up across wells throughout the county.
Wells in Juniata County commonly exceed EPA health standards for iron, manganese, and radon. Iron and manganese can harm your brain and nervous system with long-term exposure. Radon is a radioactive gas that escapes from water into the air you breathe, increasing lung cancer risk over time. PFOS is an industrial chemical that builds up in your body and can affect your immune system and liver.
Hard water is common here, leaving white crusty buildup on faucets and inside pipes. Iron causes orange-brown staining on sinks, toilets, and laundry. Hard water can shorten the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers. You may notice an unpleasant metallic taste or rotten-egg odor from the minerals.
We recommend testing your well because every well is different and your water 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 well so it can be properly treated. A comprehensive metals and radon panel typically costs $200-400 and will show you exactly what you're dealing with. Aeration systems and activated carbon filters can help remove radon and improve water quality.
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 | 9 | 56% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Manganese | 14 | 29% | Low | High | |
| Iron | 20 | 10% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 54 | 4% | Moderate |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Arsenic | 11 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| Chloride | 21 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Lead | 6 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Nitrate | 31 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 4 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 4 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 54 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Sulfate | 21 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Fluoride | 17 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 48 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Nitrite | 23 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Uranium | 5 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 18 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| pH | 31 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 48 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| E. coli | 2* | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 21 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Total Coliform | 2* | 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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