Groundwater in Luzerne County contains radon, manganese, and iron as the most common contaminants you should be aware of. Multiple contaminants including arsenic, chloride, iron, lead, manganese, nitrate, PFHXS, PFOA, PFOS, radon, and sulfate exceed EPA health standards in some wells.
The Mississippian-age rock beneath this county naturally releases iron and manganese as groundwater moves slowly through cracks and fractures in the bedrock. Radon forms from natural radioactive elements trapped in the rock. Road salt applied to highways during winter infiltrates through fractures and adds chloride to well water. Past industrial activity and old pipes contribute lead.
Groundwater in this county is moderately hard, with notably elevated iron and moderate sulfate as the defining characteristics. Iron dissolves naturally from minerals in the fractured bedrock as water contacts these rock layers over time. These elevated mineral levels appear across many wells in the county, though individual wells vary in their exact composition.
Wells in Luzerne County commonly exceed EPA health standards for arsenic, lead, radon, nitrate, and PFOA/PFOS chemicals. Arsenic and lead damage the brain and kidneys, especially in children, even at low exposure levels over time. Radon is a radioactive gas that increases lung cancer risk when breathed in from water vapor. Nitrate harms infants and can affect blood oxygen. PFOA and PFOS are human-made chemicals that build up in your body and may affect immune function and other health systems.
Iron appears in county wells at very high levels, causing rust-colored or orange-brown staining on sinks, toilets, and laundry. Manganese creates dark brown or black staining and can give water a metallic taste. Sulfate contributes a bitter or salty taste. The county's moderately hard water leaves white scale buildup on fixtures and inside pipes, which can shorten the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers over time.
We recommend testing your well with a comprehensive metals and minerals panel, since multiple contaminants exceed health standards. 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 proper treatment can be installed. A comprehensive panel typically costs $200-400. Treatment options like aeration systems combined with activated carbon filters can address multiple concerns.
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 | 5 | 100% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Manganese | 123 | 64% | High | High | |
| Iron | 160 | 59% | High | High | |
| Sulfate | 133 | 37% | High | High | |
| Arsenic | 40 | 25% | Moderate | High | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 411 | 21% | High | High | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 414 | 11% | High | Moderate | |
| Nitrate | 79 | 3% | Moderate | Low | |
| Lead | 50 | 2% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 58 | 2% | Moderate | Low | |
| Chloride | 95 | 1% | Moderate | Low | |
| Fluoride | 64 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 358 | 0% | High | Safe | |
| Nitrite | 51 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 58 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Uranium | 15 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| E. coli | 4* | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 125 | — | High | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 358 | — | High | Low | |
| pH | 144 | — | High | Low | |
| Sodium | 116 | — | High | Low | |
| Total Coliform | 4* | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ |
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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