Groundwater in Venango County contains iron, manganese, radon, and sulfate at levels that exceed EPA health standards. These contaminant levels are concerning and warrant attention from well owners.
The rock beneath Venango County naturally contains iron and manganese minerals that dissolve into groundwater as water moves slowly through cracks and gaps underground. Radon seeps out of the rock itself from naturally occurring radioactive elements. Sulfate also builds up as water sits in low-oxygen conditions deep below the surface.
Groundwater in this county is soft but carries moderate iron as its primary aesthetic character. Iron concentrates here because water moving through the Pennsylvanian sandstone and shale releases these minerals into the groundwater. These characteristics are widespread across wells throughout the county.
Wells in Venango County commonly contain iron, manganese, perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), radon, and sulfate at levels above EPA health standards. Iron and manganese can harm the nervous system with long-term exposure. Radon is a radioactive gas that increases lung cancer risk when inhaled from water. PFOS is a human-made chemical that can affect the immune system and liver. Sulfate at elevated levels can cause digestive problems.
The moderate iron levels in county wells cause orange-brown staining on sinks, toilets, and laundry. You may notice a metallic taste in your water. The water in this county is soft, so you won't see heavy scale buildup or appliance damage from hardness. Sodium and sulfate levels are low, so the water should not taste salty or unpleasant from those minerals.
We recommend testing your well water since multiple analytes exceed EPA 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 metals and minerals panel typically costs $200-400 and would give you the full picture. Treatment options like aeration systems or activated carbon filters can address specific contaminants once you know what you're dealing with.
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 | 25 | 36% | Moderate | High | |
| Radon | 3 | 33% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Manganese | 23 | 13% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Sulfate | 24 | 8% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 88 | 6% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Arsenic | 19 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Chloride | 24 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Lead | 21 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrate | 24 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 9 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 9 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 88 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Fluoride | 22 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 74 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrite | 20 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Uranium | 14 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| Hardness | 25 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Total Coliform | 1* | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 23 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| pH | 25 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 74 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| E. coli | 1* | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ |
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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