Groundwater in Philadelphia County contains arsenic, chloride, iron, lead, manganese, nitrate, nitrite, pfoa, pfos, and sulfate at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Multiple contaminants reaching unsafe levels represent a serious concern for well owners.
These contaminants come from mixed sources tied to the county's geology and land use. The Northern Atlantic Coastal Plain aquifer system here consists of sand and gravel layers that allow water to move relatively freely. Arsenic and manganese dissolve naturally from the sediments. Lead and nitrite enter from road salt, septic systems, and aged plumbing. Pfoa and pfos are industrial chemicals that have persisted in groundwater after release. Iron dissolves as groundwater passes through mineral-rich layers.
Groundwater in this county is hard, driven by calcium and magnesium from the sandy and gravelly sediments below. Iron reaches very high levels and contributes noticeably to water character. These characteristics show up in wells across the county, though levels vary by location and well depth.
Wells in Philadelphia County commonly exceed EPA health standards for arsenic, lead, nitrate, and PFOA and PFOS. Arsenic can damage skin and increase cancer risk over time. Lead harms children's brain development and learning. Nitrate and nitrite reduce how well blood carries oxygen, which is especially dangerous for babies and pregnant women. PFOA and PFOS are industrial chemicals linked to thyroid disease and other health problems.
The county's hard water leaves white crusty scale buildup on fixtures and inside pipes. Iron at high levels causes rust-colored stains on sinks, toilets, and laundry. This hard water can shorten the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers. You may notice a metallic taste or reddish discoloration in your water.
We recommend a comprehensive metals and minerals panel test for your well, since multiple contaminants exceed standards here. Every well is different, and yours 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 treated properly. A comprehensive panel typically costs $200 to $400. Treatment options include activated carbon filters for chemicals and aeration systems for iron removal.
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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iron | 1073 | 75% | High | High | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 28 | 71% | Moderate | High | |
| Manganese | 210 | 63% | High | High | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 28 | 32% | Moderate | High | |
| Arsenic | 95 | 11% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Nitrate | 1070 | 5% | High | Moderate | |
| Lead | 94 | 4% | Moderate |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Sulfate | 1198 | 4% | High |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Chloride | 1212 | 2% | High | Low | |
| Nitrite | 99 | 1% | Moderate | Low | |
| Fluoride | 271 | 0% | High | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 28 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 12 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 12 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| Hardness | 1192 | — | High | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 28 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| pH | 1243 | — | High | Low | |
| Sodium | 223 | — | High | 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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