Well Water in Presque Isle County: What to Test and Why

Groundwater in Presque Isle County contains manganese and iron, which exceed EPA health standards, along with arsenic at detectable levels. These elevated manganese and iron levels are concerning enough to warrant testing and potential treatment.

The bedrock in this area is made of dense rock with tiny cracks and fractures. As groundwater slowly moves through these cracks over many years, it dissolves iron and manganese naturally present in the rock, and small amounts of arsenic enter the water through the same process. This is the same rock type found across neighboring counties in the region.

Groundwater in this county is moderately hard, driven by moderate iron and calcium that come from the rock itself. The iron concentration contributes to the water's mineral character. These characteristics are common across wells in Presque Isle County.

Wells in Presque Isle County commonly exceed EPA health standards for iron and manganese. Long-term exposure to elevated iron can cause problems with your heart and organs. Manganese at high levels can affect your brain, learning, and memory over time. Both metals dissolve naturally from the bedrock in this area and end up in groundwater.

Iron and manganese in county wells leave orange or rust-colored stains on sinks, toilets, and laundry. The water may taste metallic or have an unpleasant odor. The moderately hard water here can leave white crusty buildup on pipes and fixtures and shorten the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers.

We recommend testing your well to find out what is actually in your water. Every well is different, and your well may have higher or lower levels than what is common in the county. Testing is the only way to know if treatment is needed. A basic health screen for bacteria and nitrate costs around fifty to one hundred dollars, while a comprehensive metals and minerals panel runs two hundred to four hundred dollars. Iron filtration systems can remove these metals from your water.