Groundwater in Monroe County contains manganese, radon, iron, and also PFOA and PFOS at levels exceeding EPA health standards. These contaminant levels are concerning enough to warrant testing and attention.
The carbonate rock beneath Monroe County naturally releases manganese and iron as slightly acidic rainwater moves through it over time. Radon forms from radioactive material trapped in the same limestone and carbonate bedrock. PFOA and PFOS are industrial chemicals that have entered groundwater through local land use or disposal practices.
Groundwater in this county is soft, with water drawing moderate amounts of iron from minerals in the carbonate rock below. The soft water character is common across wells here because the limestone dissolves readily but does not contribute high levels of hardening minerals like calcium and magnesium. Most wells in Monroe County show this combination of soft water with elevated iron and radon.
Wells in Monroe County commonly exceed EPA health standards for iron, manganese, radon, and the industrial chemicals PFOA and PFOS. Radon is a radioactive gas that builds up in your body over time and increases lung cancer risk when breathed in from water. Iron and manganese don't cause immediate illness but can harm your health with long-term exposure at elevated levels. PFOA and PFOS are synthetic chemicals that accumulate in your body and have been linked to serious health effects in scientific studies.
The water in this county is soft, which is good news for your pipes and appliances. However, iron at moderate levels causes rust-colored stains on sinks, toilets, and laundry. You may notice a metallic taste in your water. These stains are visible and annoying but don't pose a health risk on their own.
We recommend testing your well with a comprehensive metals and radon panel 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 you can treat it properly. A comprehensive panel typically costs $200-400. Aeration systems can remove radon, and activated carbon filters can help with some chemicals.
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 | 24 | 38% | Moderate | High | |
| Radon | 6 | 33% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Iron | 24 | 29% | Moderate | High | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 575 | 9% | High | Moderate | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 574 | 6% | High | Moderate | |
| Arsenic | 8 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Chloride | 28 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Fluoride | 24 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 432 | 0% | High | Safe | |
| Lead | 14 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| Nitrate | 28 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrite | 7 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 72 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 72 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Sulfate | 28 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Uranium | 7 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| E. coli | 2* | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 24 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 432 | — | High | Low | |
| pH | 27 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Sodium | 16 | — | 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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