Groundwater in Westmoreland County contains manganese, iron, sulfate, arsenic, chloride, radon, and pfoa and pfos. Several of these contaminants exceed EPA health standards and should prompt immediate testing.
The Mississippian rock beneath this county naturally contains manganese and iron that dissolve into groundwater as it moves slowly through cracks in the stone. Radon seeps from uranium trapped in the rock layers. Sulfate forms when water contacts sulfur-bearing minerals. Road salt from local roads and chloride from deep mineral sources also concentrate in the groundwater here.
Groundwater in this county is very hard, driven by elevated calcium and magnesium from the limestone and carbonate rock below. Iron reaches very high levels and contributes reddish-brown color to the water. These characteristics are widespread across wells in Westmoreland County, making hardness and iron nearly universal concerns for private well owners in the area.
Wells in Westmoreland County commonly exceed EPA health standards for arsenic, radon, chloride, and sulfate. Arsenic is a poison that builds up in your body over years and can cause cancer and organ damage. Radon is a radioactive gas that increases lung cancer risk when you breathe it in from water. Chloride and sulfate at elevated levels can harm your kidneys and digestive system over time.
Hard water in this county causes significant quality-of-life problems. Iron at very high levels stains sinks, toilets, and laundry with orange-brown marks that are hard to remove. You'll see white crusty scale buildup on faucets, pipes, and inside appliances. The sulfate gives the water a bitter or metallic taste. Extremely hard water also shortens the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers.
We recommend testing your well with a comprehensive metals and radon panel, since multiple contaminants exceed health standards in county wells. Every well is different--yours may have higher or lower levels than what is common here. 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, and treatment options like water softeners combined with aeration and iron filters can address many 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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manganese | 47 | 91% | Moderate | High | |
| Iron | 63 | 78% | Moderate | High | |
| Sulfate | 64 | 42% | Moderate | High | |
| Radon | 10 | 20% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Arsenic | 44 | 7% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Chloride | 64 | 3% | Moderate |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 67 | 1% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 67 | 1% | Moderate | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 46 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 24 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 24 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Uranium | 39 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Lead | 44 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Nitrate | 63 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Fluoride | 47 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrite | 41 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Sodium | 60 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Hardness | 63 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 46 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| pH | 55 | — | 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.
Loading recent water news…