Well Water in Crawford County: What to Test and Why

Iron, arsenic, and chloride are present in Crawford County groundwater. Iron levels exceed EPA health standards and are the main concern, while arsenic and chloride are detected at lower levels.

Iron dissolves naturally from minerals in the Marshall aquifer rock as groundwater sits in contact with it over time. Arsenic also occurs naturally in certain parts of the same rock. Chloride enters partly from road salt applied during winter months.

Groundwater in Crawford County is notable for elevated iron. The Marshall aquifer rock contains iron-bearing minerals that dissolve into the water as it moves slowly through the formation. Iron at these levels is common across wells in the county.

Wells in this county show elevated iron that exceeds EPA health standards. Long-term exposure to elevated iron can affect your lungs and heart over many years. Arsenic and chloride are also found in some county wells. Arsenic is a poison that builds up in your body over time and increases your risk of cancer.

Iron at these levels leaves orange or rust-colored stains on sinks, toilets, and laundry. Your water may taste metallic or have an unpleasant odor. Iron buildup inside pipes and water heaters can clog them over time and shorten their lifespan.

We recommend testing your well water, since every well is different and your water 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 well so it can be properly treated. A basic health screen runs about fifty to one hundred dollars. An iron filtration system can remove iron, and depending on what testing shows, other treatment options are available.