PFAS & Private Wells in Western New York and Northwestern Pennsylvania
Published by McCandless Well Drilling and Services, Inc. | February 2026
What We Found After Analyzing 12 Sources on PFAS and Private Wells
We analyzed data from the U.S. Geological Survey, Penn State University, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, and nine other leading federal, state, and academic sources to answer a question that affects hundreds of thousands of homeowners in our region:
If you rely on a private well in Western New York or Northwestern Pennsylvania, how likely is it that PFAS “forever chemicals” are in your water — and would you even know?
We compiled 12 key findings on PFAS contamination rates, well-owner testing habits, and the regulatory gaps that leave private well owners unprotected. We also drew on nearly 50 years of our own experience drilling and servicing wells across Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, and Erie Counties in New York and Warren County in Pennsylvania to put those findings into local context.
What we found was concerning. PFAS contamination is far more widespread than most homeowners realize, private well owners are almost entirely excluded from current drinking water protections, and the vast majority of well owners have never tested for these chemicals.
Below, we walk through what the data says, what it means for your family’s water, and what you can do about it.
Key Findings
- 65% of Pennsylvania private wells have detectable levels of PFAS — even among wells that don’t exceed official health limits.
- Nearly 1 in 5 Pennsylvania private wells (18%) contain PFAS above health-based drinking water standards.
- Up to 95 million Americans — more than 1 in 5 — may be drinking water from groundwater contaminated with PFAS.
- PFOS was detected in 97% of rural soil samples across New York State — collected from properties NOT near any known industrial PFAS source.
- PFAS was found at or above action levels in 68% of groundwater wells sampled near investigated landfills in New York.
- The CDC recommends annual well testing. Only 9% of private well owners actually do it — a gap of 91%.
- 4 in 10 private well households don’t test their water, don’t filter it, and don’t use any alternative drinking water source.
- At least 20 states do not test private wells for PFAS unless contamination has already been discovered nearby.
- New York has one of the nation’s strictest PFAS standards — 10 parts per trillion — but that standard does not apply to private wells.
- The federal standard tightens to 4 ppt by 2029. The EPA’s health-based goal is zero.
- Even when a state offers free PFAS testing, only 20–40% of well owners accept it.
- In Chautauqua County, the average residential well is approximately 115 feet deep — within the range where private wells are most susceptible to surface-derived contaminants.
Section I: The Big Picture
PFAS Has Been Found in 65% of Pennsylvania Private Wells
Background: PFAS — short for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances — are a class of thousands of synthetic chemicals used since the 1950s in products ranging from non-stick cookware and food packaging to waterproof clothing and firefighting foam. They’re known as “forever chemicals” because they don’t break down in the environment or in the human body. When they reach groundwater, they can persist for decades.
Until recently, almost no data existed on how widespread PFAS contamination is in private wells specifically — as opposed to public water systems, which are required to test under federal law.
Results: A 2025 Penn State University study changed that. Researchers sampled 167 private wells across Pennsylvania over a three-year period (2021–2023) and found that 65% had detectable levels of PFAS. The most frequently detected compounds were PFOS (in 52% of wells) and PFOA (in 47%).
Context: That means nearly two out of three private wells tested in Pennsylvania contain some amount of forever chemicals. This doesn’t mean every well exceeds health limits — many had concentrations below current maximum contaminant levels. But it does mean that PFAS is present in most private well water across the state, including in rural areas far from obvious industrial sources. For the roughly 1 million Pennsylvania households that rely on private wells, including those in Warren County served by McCandless, this finding is a wake-up call.
Up to 95 Million Americans May Be Drinking PFAS-Contaminated Groundwater
Background: In October 2024, the U.S. Geological Survey published the first national estimates of PFAS occurrence in untreated groundwater supplying both public and private drinking water wells. The study, published in the journal Science, used predictive modeling based on 1,238 groundwater samples to estimate contamination probabilities across the Lower 48 states.
Results: USGS estimated that 71 to 95 million people — more than 20% of the U.S. population — may rely on groundwater with detectable concentrations of at least one of the 24 PFAS compounds tested. The states with the largest private well populations at risk include Michigan, Florida, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, New York, and Ohio.
Context: Both Pennsylvania and New York appear in the top tier of at-risk states for private well users. This isn’t a distant problem affecting only communities near chemical plants. The USGS model shows that PFAS occurrence in groundwater is influenced by factors like urban development, soil composition, and well depth — factors present throughout Western New York and Northwestern Pennsylvania. The USGS has also published an interactive PFAS groundwater dashboard where homeowners can view probability estimates for their state. And because the model tested for only 24 of the more than 12,000 known types of PFAS, the true scope of contamination is likely even wider.
PFOS Was Detected in 97% of Rural New York Soil — Even Far From Factories
Background: One common misconception is that PFAS contamination is limited to areas near industrial facilities, military bases, or fire-training sites. To test that assumption, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation conducted a Rural Soil Background Study in 2023, collecting 548 soil samples from 116 properties across the state. Critically, all properties were remote from known PFAS sources.
Results: PFOS — one of the most harmful and well-studied PFAS compounds — was detected in over 97% of surface soil samples. PFOA was found in 76.5%. There was no obvious geographic pattern or clustering, suggesting the contamination is diffuse and widespread.
Context: This finding is significant for private well owners because PFAS in soil can migrate into groundwater over time through rainwater infiltration and natural water movement. If PFOS is in 97% of rural New York soil, it is reasonable to expect some level of PFAS presence in the groundwater that feeds private wells — even in areas with no industrial history. For well owners in Chautauqua County and surrounding communities, this study suggests that the question isn’t whether PFAS is in the environment around your well. It likely is. The question is how much is reaching your water, and whether you’ve tested to find out.
Section II: What This Means for Your Well
Nearly 1 in 5 PA Wells Exceed PFAS Health Standards
Background: While 65% of tested wells had detectable PFAS, not all of those levels exceeded official health thresholds. The EPA has established maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) of 4 parts per trillion for PFOA and PFOS individually, and New York’s MCL is currently 10 ppt. These thresholds represent the levels at which regulatory action is triggered for public water systems.
Results: The Penn State study found that 18% of Pennsylvania private wells exceeded at least one health-related maximum contaminant level for PFAS. Concentrations ranged from nondetectable levels to approximately 125 parts per trillion. The highest concentrations were found in the most developed parts of the state.
Context: For one in five PA wells, the PFAS present isn’t just detectable — it’s above the level that would require a public water system to take corrective action. But because private wells are not regulated by state or federal drinking water laws, no authority is required to notify these homeowners or help them address the problem. They may be drinking water that would be considered unsafe if it came from a public tap — and they likely have no idea.
68% of Wells Near New York Landfills Have PFAS at Concerning Levels
Background: Landfills are one of the most common sources of PFAS in groundwater. Products containing PFAS — from food wrappers to clothing to carpet — end up in landfills, where the chemicals can leach into surrounding soil and groundwater. New York has hundreds of active and inactive landfills, including in Chautauqua and surrounding counties.
Results: According to a 2025 NRDC analysis, state investigations at inactive landfills in New York revealed that 68% of the groundwater wells (public and private) sampled near those facilities had PFAS concentrations at or above state action levels.
Context: Landfills are not exotic or rare infrastructure. They exist in virtually every county in the state. For well owners living within a few miles of a current or former landfill — and many homeowners may not even be aware of nearby closed facilities — the risk of PFAS reaching their well water is real and documented. This finding is another reason why testing your well water regularly is so important, even if you believe your property is far from any industrial activity.
Why Chautauqua County’s Average Well Depth of 115 Feet Matters
Background: Well depth is one of the factors that influences vulnerability to PFAS and other surface-derived contaminants. Public supply wells tend to draw from deeper aquifers that have more natural geological protection from surface contamination. Private residential wells are typically shallower — and that makes them more exposed. The USGS domestic wells program has consistently documented that shallower wells face greater contamination risk.
Results: Based on McCandless Well Drilling‘s nearly 50 years of experience in this region, the average residential well depth in Chautauqua County is approximately 115 feet, though depths vary based on local geology. Some wells are significantly shallower. USGS research has consistently shown that shallower wells are more susceptible to contamination from surface sources than deeper wells.
Context: This doesn’t mean every well at 115 feet is contaminated. Geology, soil composition, and nearby land use all play a role. But it does mean that the typical residential well in this area draws water from a depth that offers less natural protection than a deep municipal supply well. Combined with the DEC’s finding that PFOS is in 97% of rural New York soil, the pathway for PFAS to reach private wells in this region is plausible and should not be dismissed.
Section III: The Regulatory Gap
New York’s Strict PFAS Standards Don’t Apply to Private Wells
Background: New York was one of the first states in the country to establish enforceable drinking water standards for PFAS, setting maximum contaminant levels of 10 parts per trillion for both PFOA and PFOS in 2020. These are among the lowest and most protective limits in the nation. The state has also taken steps to ban PFAS in firefighting foam, food packaging, and certain consumer products.
Results: However, New York State does not regulate PFAS in private wells. The state’s drinking water standards apply only to public water systems. Private well owners are responsible for their own testing, treatment, and maintenance — and are not required to test for PFAS at any interval.
Context: This creates a two-tier system. If you’re connected to a municipal water supply, your water is regularly tested and regulated. If you’re on a private well — as are several million New York residents — you’re on your own. The NYS Department of Health uses the public water MCLs as “guidelines” when evaluating private well data, but there is no enforcement mechanism and no requirement to test. Governor Hochul has created a new pilot program to provide financial assistance for private well owners to test and treat for PFAS, which is a step forward. But the fundamental reality remains: most private well owners in our region have never been tested for PFAS, and no one is required to tell them they should.
At Least 20 States Don’t Test Private Wells for PFAS
Background: States vary widely in how they handle PFAS and private wells. Some, like Michigan, have been proactive — testing groundwater near known contamination sites and offering free testing to nearby well owners. Others have done very little.
Results: A February 2026 Associated Press investigation — which surveyed agencies in all 50 states — found that at least 20 states do not test private wells for PFAS outside of areas where contamination has already been suspected or discovered. Many states also lack clear policies for notifying well owners when PFAS is found nearby.
Context: This means that in much of the country, PFAS contamination in private wells will only be found if individual homeowners take the initiative and expense to test. For well owners in areas that haven’t been flagged as contamination zones, there is no early warning system. The AP investigation described private well owners as “the last to know” — and the data supports that characterization.
Today’s “Safe” Limit Is 10 ppt — But It’s Tightening Toward Zero
Background: Drinking water standards for PFAS have been evolving rapidly as scientific understanding of health risks improves. What was considered acceptable five years ago is no longer considered safe today.
Results: New York’s current MCL is 10 parts per trillion for PFOA and PFOS individually. In 2024, the EPA established new federal MCLs of 4 parts per trillion, which public water systems must meet by 2029. And the EPA’s maximum contaminant level goal — the health-based target that doesn’t account for treatment feasibility — is zero.
Context: The direction is clear: limits are getting stricter, not looser. A well that tests at 8 ppt today meets New York’s current standard but would exceed the coming federal standard. And the EPA’s own health scientists have concluded there is no safe level of PFOA or PFOS in drinking water. For private well owners who haven’t tested, the takeaway is straightforward: the standard you’re being measured against tomorrow may be more protective than the one in place today. Testing now gives you a baseline to understand where you stand.
Section IV: The Awareness Gap
Only 9% of Well Owners Test Annually — A 91% Gap
Background: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that private well owners test their water at least once per year for bacteria, nitrates, and other common contaminants. Some experts recommend testing more frequently if there are small children, elderly adults, or pregnant women in the household.
Results: A 2024 Iowa State University study — one of the largest surveys of private well owners ever conducted, covering more than 22,000 households — found that only 9% of private well owners had tested their water in the past year. That’s a 91% gap between public health guidance and actual behavior.
Context: If nine out of ten well owners aren’t testing for basic contaminants like bacteria and nitrates, the number testing for PFAS — which requires a separate, more expensive test — is almost certainly far lower. For many families, the assumption is simple: if the water looks clear and tastes fine, it must be safe. But PFAS is odorless, colorless, and tasteless. You cannot detect it without laboratory testing.
4 in 10 Well Households Take Zero Precautions
Background: Testing is one form of well stewardship, but it isn’t the only option. Well owners can also install filtration systems, use bottled water for drinking and cooking, or combine approaches to reduce their exposure to contaminants.
Results: The same Iowa State study found that approximately 40% of private well households don’t test their water, don’t filter it, and don’t supplement their drinking water from any other source. These households rely entirely on untreated, untested well water for all household use.
Context: That means four out of ten families on private wells are consuming water with no safety checks of any kind. If PFAS or any other contaminant is present in their water, they would have no way of knowing. This isn’t a matter of negligence. Research shows that many well owners are simply unaware of the risks, unsure how to test, or deterred by the cost and inconvenience of testing. Closing this gap requires better access to information — which is one of the reasons we compiled this report.
Even Free Testing Only Reaches 20–40% of Well Owners
Background: Michigan has been one of the most proactive states in addressing PFAS in private wells. The state’s PFAS Action Response Team has identified contamination sites and reached out to nearby well owners with letters offering free well water testing.
Results: Despite the offer being free and coming from a state agency, only 20 to 40% of homeowners responded, according to data reported by Circle of Blue in January 2026.
Context: This finding suggests that the awareness gap isn’t just about cost — though testing at $200–$500+ is a real financial barrier for many. Even when that barrier is removed entirely, the majority of well owners don’t act. Researchers point to multiple factors: lack of awareness about PFAS, fear of what testing might reveal (including impacts on property values), and a general assumption that “our water has always been fine.” Overcoming these barriers requires sustained, trusted, local outreach — not just a single letter from a state agency.
Section V: What You Can Do Right Now
How to Get Your Well Tested for PFAS
If you’re on a private well in Western New York or Northwestern Pennsylvania, here’s how to get started:
Step 1: Contact a certified laboratory. In New York, the Department of Health maintains a list of Environmental Laboratory Approval Program (ELAP) certified labs. In Pennsylvania, the DEP maintains a similar list. Make sure the lab is certified for PFAS testing specifically.
Step 2: Request a PFAS panel. A standard well water test (bacteria, nitrates, pH) typically costs $20–$100. Comprehensive PFAS testing is a separate analysis and typically costs $200–$500 or more, depending on the number of compounds tested.
Step 3: Check for assistance programs. New York’s new pilot program may offer financial assistance for private well PFAS testing and treatment. In the McCandless service area, programs like CHRIC (Chautauqua Home Rehabilitation & Improvement Corp), the Water Well Trust, and Chautauqua County Department of Social Services may also help eligible homeowners with well-related costs.
Step 4: Test at least annually. Even if your initial results come back clean, the CDC recommends annual testing. PFAS concentrations can change over time as contamination migrates through groundwater.
Treatment Options If PFAS Is Found
If your well water tests positive for PFAS above health-based standards, there are effective treatment options available:
Reverse osmosis (RO) systems are highly effective at removing PFAS from drinking water and are one of the most common treatment solutions for private well owners.
Granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration can also reduce PFAS concentrations and is often used in whole-home, point-of-entry treatment systems.
Ion exchange systems are a newer technology that is effective for certain PFAS compounds.
The right solution depends on the specific PFAS compounds detected, their concentrations, and your household’s water usage. A qualified water treatment professional can help you evaluate your options based on your test results.
How McCandless Can Help
McCandless Well Drilling and Services has been serving homeowners, farmers, and businesses across Western New York and Northwestern Pennsylvania for nearly 50 years. We offer water quality testing guidance, water filtration and softening systems, reverse osmosis installations, and full well maintenance services.
If you’re concerned about your well water — whether it’s PFAS, bacteria, hardness, or any other issue — we’re here to help you understand your options and protect your family’s water supply.
Call us at (716) 338-3966 or visit mccandlesswelldrilling.com/contact to schedule a consultation.
Conclusion
The data is clear: PFAS is widespread in the groundwater and soil across our region, private well owners are not protected by current drinking water regulations, and most well owners have never tested for these chemicals.
This report draws on research from the U.S. Geological Survey, Penn State University, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, the Iowa State University Center for Agricultural and Rural Development, the Associated Press, the Natural Resources Defense Council, and other leading sources. We are grateful for the critical work these organizations are doing to understand and address PFAS contamination in our groundwater.
For a detailed explanation of our data sources, selection criteria, and methodology, [download our Study Methods PDF here].
We’d like to hear from you. If you’re a homeowner, farmer, or business owner on a private well in Western New York or Northwestern Pennsylvania — have you ever tested your water for PFAS? What concerns you most about your well water?
Leave a comment or reach out to us directly. Your experience matters, and it helps us better serve this community.
McCandless Well Drilling and Services, Inc. 789 Busti Sugar Grove Rd, Jamestown, NY 14701 (716) 338-3966 | mccandlesswelldrilling.com Your Trusted Well Service Company — Family Owned and Operated in the Southern Tier