Well Water in Adams County: What to Test and Why

Groundwater in Adams County contains radon, manganese, sulfate, chloride, and iron at levels that exceed federal health standards. These contaminants are a serious concern and require your attention.

The rock beneath Adams County naturally holds these minerals and metals. As groundwater moves slowly through cracks in the bedrock, water dissolves iron and manganese from the rock itself. Radon comes from radioactive minerals in the stone, and sulfate and chloride leach out naturally from the rock layers underground.

Groundwater in Adams County is hard, driven by elevated calcium and magnesium from the bedrock below. The same rock that produces hardness also releases iron and manganese into the water as it passes through. Hard water with elevated iron and these other contaminants is common across wells throughout the county.

Wells in Adams County commonly have chloride, iron, manganese, radon, and sulfate at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Manganese can harm brain development in children and affect thinking and movement in adults over time. Radon is a radioactive gas that increases lung cancer risk with long-term exposure. Chloride and sulfate can cause stomach problems and diarrhea. Iron alone doesn't pose direct health risks at the levels found here, but it adds to the overall mineral burden in the water.

The hard water in Adams County wells leaves white crusty buildup on faucets, shower heads, and inside pipes. Iron staining shows up as orange-brown marks on sinks, toilets, and laundry. The water may taste metallic or have a sulfur smell. Hard water this extreme can shorten the lifespan of water heaters, dishwashers, and other appliances by years.

We recommend testing your well because every well is different and yours 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 water so it can be properly treated. Since multiple analytes exceed health standards, a comprehensive metals and minerals panel is recommended and typically costs $200-400. Treatment options like a water softener combined with iron and radon removal can address these concerns.