Well Water in Franklin County: What to Test and Why

Groundwater in Franklin County contains arsenic, chloride, fluoride, iron, lead, manganese, PFOA, radon, and sulfate at levels that exceed EPA health standards. These are serious contaminants that require immediate attention and testing.

The rock beneath Franklin County naturally releases iron and manganese as groundwater moves slowly through cracks and fractures in the stone. Arsenic also occurs naturally in these rock layers. Chloride and sulfate come partly from the same mineral sources and partly from human activity like road salt and agricultural use. The slow movement of water through the rock gives these contaminants time to dissolve into your drinking water.

Groundwater in this county is very hard, with elevated iron, sodium, and sulfate as the main minerals driving that character. Iron and manganese dissolve from the rock as water sits in contact with it underground, while sulfate comes from mineral deposits mixed through the stone layers. These mineral characteristics are widespread across wells throughout the county.

Wells in Franklin County commonly contain arsenic, lead, fluoride, radon, and PFOA at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Arsenic builds up in your body over time and can damage your kidneys and increase cancer risk. Lead harms brain development in children and can affect nervous system function in adults. Radon is a radioactive gas that increases lung cancer risk with long-term exposure. Fluoride, PFOA, and the other contaminants also pose health concerns that require attention.

Wells in this county also show high iron, moderate sodium, and moderate sulfate, creating noticeable quality-of-life problems. Iron causes orange-brown stains on sinks, toilets, and laundry that are difficult to remove. The combination of these minerals makes water taste metallic or slightly salty. Hard water leaves crusty white buildup on pipes and fixtures, and can shorten the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers.

We recommend testing your well with a comprehensive metals and minerals panel, since multiple analytes exceed health standards. Every well is different--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 comprehensive panel typically costs $200-400, and treatment options like point-of-use filters for arsenic combined with water softeners can address multiple concerns.