Groundwater in Lawrence County contains radon, iron, and manganese at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Chloride and PFOS also exceed their limits, making these contaminants a serious concern for well owners.
The county sits on Pennsylvanian rock layers that naturally contain radioactive uranium, which breaks down into radon gas that seeps into groundwater. Iron and manganese dissolve from these same rock layers in the low-oxygen environment deep underground. Chloride enters from road salt spread on local highways, and PFOS comes from industrial sources and contaminated sites in the area.
Groundwater in this county is very hard, driven by elevated calcium and magnesium from the limestone and shale rock below. Iron reaches very high concentrations in these waters. These characteristics are common across wells throughout the county.
Wells in Lawrence County commonly exceed EPA health standards for chloride, iron, manganese, PFOS, and radon. Chloride and PFOS are contaminants that can harm human health over time. Iron and manganese at elevated levels can damage the nervous system and affect how the body functions. Radon is a radioactive gas that enters groundwater and can increase health risks when released into indoor air.
Wells in this county have extremely hard water combined with very high iron. You will see orange or brown stains on sinks, toilets, and laundry. White crusty scale builds up on pipes and fixtures. The water may taste metallic. This extreme hardness can shorten the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers.
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. Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your water so it can be properly treated. Since multiple contaminants exceed health standards here, a comprehensive metals and minerals panel is recommended and typically costs $200-400. Treatment options include a water softener paired with an iron removal system and radon mitigation.
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 | 1 | 100% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Iron | 47 | 87% | Moderate | High | |
| Manganese | 42 | 76% | Moderate | High | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 88 | 3% | Moderate |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Chloride | 46 | 2% | Moderate | Low | |
| Arsenic | 18 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Fluoride | 42 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 60 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Lead | 19 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrate | 47 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrite | 18 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 12 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 12 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 88 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Sulfate | 46 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Uranium | 12 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| pH | 46 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 60 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Sodium | 47 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Hardness | 47 | — | 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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