Groundwater in Mifflin County contains manganese, iron, radon, nitrate, and sulfate at levels that exceed EPA health standards. The most pressing concern is that iron, manganese, and radon all exceed their safety limits in this county's wells.
The Valley and Ridge bedrock beneath Mifflin County naturally contains iron and manganese locked in dark shale and iron-rich rock layers. As groundwater moves slowly through cracks and fractures in these folded, ancient rocks, it dissolves these metals into the water. Radon forms from tiny amounts of radioactive material that breaks down naturally within the same bedrock. Nitrate seeps in from agricultural and lawn fertilizers that soak down through soil into the fractured rock below.
Groundwater in this county is very hard, driven by elevated calcium and magnesium that dissolve from the limestone and shale. The prolonged contact between water and these mineral-rich rock layers causes hardness to concentrate as the water sits underground. This combination of extreme hardness alongside elevated iron and manganese is common across wells throughout Mifflin County.
Wells in Mifflin County commonly contain iron, manganese, nitrate, radon, and sulfate at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Radon is a radioactive gas that increases lung cancer risk with long-term exposure through breathing and ingestion. Nitrate harms infants and can interfere with oxygen in the blood. Manganese can damage your brain and nervous system over time. Iron and sulfate, while less immediately dangerous, still pose health concerns at elevated levels.
The water in this county is extremely hard, which means white crusty buildup will form on pipes, faucets, and inside water heaters and dishwashers. This scale buildup can shorten the lifespan of these appliances. Iron causes orange-brown staining on sinks, toilets, and laundry. You may also notice a metallic taste or rotten-egg smell from sulfate.
We recommend testing your well with a comprehensive metals and radon panel, since multiple contaminants exceed health standards here. Every well is different, and your well 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 panel typically costs $200-400. Treatment options like aeration systems and specialized filters can address these 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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manganese | 42 | 33% | Moderate | High | |
| Iron | 51 | 27% | Moderate | High | |
| Radon | 11 | 27% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Nitrate | 54 | 15% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Sulfate | 49 | 2% | Moderate | Low | |
| Arsenic | 14 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| Chloride | 50 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Fluoride | 46 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 24 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Lead | 11 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| Nitrite | 45 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 4 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 4 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 25 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 25 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Uranium | 7 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| E. coli | 2* | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 51 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 24 | — | Moderate | Safe | |
| pH | 57 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Sodium | 46 | — | 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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