Groundwater in Northampton County contains radon, manganese, nitrate, chloride, iron, and PFOA and PFOS chemicals at levels that exceed EPA health standards. These contaminants are serious enough to require testing and treatment.
The carbonate limestone rock beneath the county naturally produces radon gas, which dissolves into groundwater moving through cracks in the stone. Road salt spread on highways seeps down into the groundwater and brings chloride. Nitrate enters from septic systems and agricultural activity on the land above. PFOA and PFOS are industrial chemicals that have contaminated some wells, likely from past industrial or commercial use.
Groundwater in this county is hard, driven by calcium and magnesium that dissolve from the limestone bedrock as water passes through it. These minerals are common across wells in the county because of the carbonate rock that supplies water throughout the area.
Groundwater in Northampton County contains several contaminants that exceed EPA health standards. Radon is a radioactive gas that increases lung cancer risk over time. Nitrate harms infants and can interfere with oxygen in the blood. Chloride itself is not a direct health concern, but high levels indicate saltwater intrusion. Iron and manganese do not cause immediate illness but can accumulate in your body over years. PFOA and PFOS are industrial chemicals linked to thyroid disease, liver problems, and immune system damage.
Wells in this county show hard water that leaves white crusty buildup on fixtures and inside pipes. This scale can shorten the lifespan of water heaters, dishwashers, and other appliances. You may also notice a metallic or bitter taste in your water, and iron can stain sinks, toilets, and laundry orange or brown. Hard water requires extra soap and detergent for cleaning.
We recommend testing your well comprehensively because multiple contaminants exceed health standards. Every well is different, and your well may have much 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. A comprehensive metals and minerals panel typically costs $200-400. Aeration systems and activated carbon filters can address several of 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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Radon | 13 | 85% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Manganese | 12 | 25% | Low | High | |
| Nitrate | 36 | 19% | Moderate | High | |
| Iron | 25 | 16% | Moderate | High | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 277 | 11% | High | Moderate | |
| Chloride | 21 | 5% | Moderate |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 277 | 4% | High |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Arsenic | 11 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| Fluoride | 12 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 261 | 0% | High | Safe | |
| Lead | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Nitrite | 18 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 36 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 36 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Sulfate | 21 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Uranium | 3 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 19 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 260 | — | High | Low | |
| pH | 32 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Sodium | 20 | — | 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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