Groundwater in Susquehanna County contains radon, manganese, and iron at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Arsenic and chloride also exceed limits in this county's wells, making water testing essential for well owners.
These contaminants come from the rock beneath the county. Radon forms naturally from radioactive minerals in the bedrock. Iron and manganese dissolve into groundwater as water moves slowly through fractured rock. Arsenic occurs naturally in the same rock layers. Chloride enters through road salt applied to highways during winter.
Groundwater in this county is moderately hard, with moderate iron levels being the main aesthetic concern. Iron dissolves directly from minerals in the rock as groundwater sits in contact with the bedrock. These characteristics are common across many wells in Susquehanna County.
Wells in Susquehanna County commonly contain arsenic, chloride, iron, manganese, and radon at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Arsenic can damage your kidneys and increase cancer risk over many years of exposure. Radon is a radioactive gas that enters water from the rock below and raises your lung cancer risk. Chloride at high levels harms your kidneys and cardiovascular system. Manganese can affect brain development and nervous system function.
The moderately hard water in county wells creates rust-colored or brown stains on sinks, toilets, and laundry. Iron gives water a metallic taste and smell. You may notice white scale buildup on fixtures and inside pipes. Hard water can shorten the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers by years.
We recommend a comprehensive metals and radon panel to test your well, since multiple contaminants exceed health standards. 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 water so it can be properly treated. A comprehensive panel typically costs $200-400. Treatment options like radon aeration systems and activated carbon filters can address these 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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Radon | 9 | 67% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Manganese | 129 | 47% | High | High | |
| Iron | 136 | 29% | High | High | |
| Arsenic | 53 | 8% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Chloride | 143 | 3% | High | Low | |
| Fluoride | 112 | 0% | High | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 79 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Lead | 54 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrate | 139 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Nitrite | 110 | 0% | High | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 101 | 0% | High | Low | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 101 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Sulfate | 143 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Uranium | 38 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| E. coli | 6* | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 143 | — | High | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 79 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| pH | 135 | — | High | Low | |
| Sodium | 134 | — | High | Low | |
| Total Coliform | 6* | 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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