Groundwater in Perry County contains manganese, iron, radon, nitrate, PFOA, and PFOS. Several of these contaminants--iron, manganese, nitrate, PFOA, PFOS, and radon--exceed EPA health standards, which means well owners need to test and treat their water.
The limestone and other carbonate rock beneath Perry County naturally release iron and manganese as groundwater moves through it. Radon forms from tiny amounts of uranium and radium that decay inside the bedrock. Nitrate, PFOA, and PFOS enter groundwater from human sources--fertilizers, industrial chemicals, and manufacturing--that seep down from the surface into the fractured rock.
Groundwater in this county is moderately hard, driven by calcium and magnesium released from the limestone bedrock. The moderate iron levels come from minerals dissolved out of the rock as water sits in contact with it. These characteristics show up across many wells in Perry County, though individual well results vary.
Wells in Perry County commonly show iron, manganese, nitrate, PFOA, PFOS, and radon at levels above EPA health standards. Radon is a radioactive gas that increases lung cancer risk when breathed in from shower steam and tap water. Manganese can harm brain development and function over time, especially in children. Nitrate threatens infants and can reduce oxygen in the blood. PFOA and PFOS are industrial chemicals that build up in the body and may affect the immune system and liver.
County well water tends to be moderately hard, which leaves white crusty scale buildup inside pipes and on fixtures. You may see orange or brown staining on sinks, toilets, and laundry from elevated iron. Hard water can shorten the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers. The mineral content in these wells is not extreme, but it does create noticeable quality-of-life issues.
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 it can be properly treated. A comprehensive panel typically costs $200-400. Treatment options like aeration systems combined with activated carbon filters can address multiple contaminants.
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 | 54 | 46% | Moderate | High | |
| Iron | 61 | 31% | Moderate | High | |
| Radon | 12 | 25% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 152 | 20% | High | High | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 152 | 9% | High | Moderate | |
| Nitrate | 91 | 3% | Moderate |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 6 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 6 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Fluoride | 56 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 134 | 0% | High | Safe | |
| Nitrite | 48 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Uranium | 9 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Arsenic | 25 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Chloride | 83 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Lead | 21 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Sulfate | 58 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 134 | — | High | Low | |
| pH | 71 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Sodium | 56 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Hardness | 61 | — | 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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