Groundwater in Montgomery County contains radon, nitrate, manganese, and iron at levels that exceed EPA health standards. These contaminants are serious enough that well owners need to test and address them.
Radon enters groundwater naturally as it decays from uranium in the carbonate rock beneath the county. Nitrate comes from fertilizer and septic systems in the soil above, seeping down through cracks and gaps in the rock. Manganese and iron dissolve from the carbonate layers as water moves slowly through them underground.
Groundwater in this county is very hard, driven by calcium and magnesium released from the limestone and carbonate rock below. Water flowing through these rocks picks up dissolved minerals over time. Very high hardness is common across wells throughout Montgomery County.
Wells in Montgomery County commonly have iron, manganese, nitrate, and radon at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Iron and manganese can harm your brain and nervous system, especially in children. Nitrate is dangerous for babies and can cause serious illness. Radon is a radioactive gas that enters your body through breathing and increases your risk of lung cancer over time.
The extremely hard water common in Montgomery County wells causes white scale buildup on fixtures and reduced water flow in pipes. This hardness shortens the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers. You may notice difficulty getting soap to lather and stiffness in clothes after washing.
We recommend a comprehensive water test because your well may have higher or lower levels than what is typical in the county. Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your well water so you can treat it properly. Costs for a comprehensive metals and minerals panel run between $200 and $400. Treatment options include radon aeration systems, nitrate removal, and water softeners for hardness.
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 | 6 | 33% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Nitrate | 5 | 20% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Manganese | 7 | 14% | Low | Moderate ⓘ | |
| Iron | 8 | 12% | Low | Moderate ⓘ | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 20 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 20 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 20 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 20 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Sulfate | 8 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Lead | 7 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Fluoride | 8 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 20 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Arsenic | 7 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Chloride | 8 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Uranium | 7 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Nitrite | 4 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| E. coli | 1* | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 8 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 20 | — | Moderate | Safe | |
| pH | 8 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 8 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Total Coliform | 1* | 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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