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privatewelldata / Counties / Pennsylvania

Adams County, Pennsylvania

Arsenic: 1 of 32 sampled wells (3%) above the EPA limit of 10 µg/L. Nitrate: 7 of 98 sampled wells (7%) above the EPA limit of 10 mg/L as N. Samples 1925-10-29 to 2023-10-31; updated 2026-10-17. Source: Water Quality Portal (USGS, EPA, NWQMC), siteType=Well.

What wells in this county have measured for arsenic and nitrate. A local picture only: test your own well to know your water.

Arsenic

1 of 32 sampled wells (3%) had a latest result above the EPA limit of 10 µg/L.

Median (latest per well)
1.05 µg/L
90th percentile
5 µg/L
Highest
14 µg/L
Non-detects
10 wells' latest result was "not detected" with no detection limit reported; they are counted as below the limit.
Samples
46, 1975-05-15 to 2023-10-31
Source
Water Quality Portal (USGS, EPA, NWQMC), siteType=Well, downloaded 2026-10-17

Nitrate

7 of 98 sampled wells (7%) had a latest result above the EPA limit of 10 mg/L as N.

Median (latest per well)
2.711 mg/L as N
90th percentile
8.8 mg/L as N
Highest
28.011 mg/L as N
Non-detects
4 wells' latest result was "not detected" with no detection limit reported; they are counted as below the limit.
Samples
176, 1925-10-29 to 2023-10-31
Source
Water Quality Portal (USGS, EPA, NWQMC), siteType=Well, downloaded 2026-10-17

Includes monitoring, research and private wells reported to the Water Quality Portal. Non-detects count only when the lab's detection limit is at or below the EPA limit. Method: data rules.

What to do next

  1. Test your own well. County numbers cannot tell you what is in your water. See which tests fit your well.
  2. Use a lab certified by Pennsylvania. Certified labs in Pennsylvania.
  3. Compare your results with the EPA limits (arsenic 10 µg/L, nitrate 10 mg/L as N). If a result is above a limit, contact your county or state health department.
  4. If a result is high: arsenic guide · nitrate guide · bacteria guide · salesperson checklist.
  5. Test again every year for bacteria and nitrate. Get a yearly reminder.