Well Water in Paulding County: What to Test and Why

Groundwater in Paulding County contains manganese, iron, sulfate, and chloride at levels that exceed EPA health standards. These contaminant levels are serious enough to warrant attention and testing.

The rock beneath this county naturally contains iron and manganese, which dissolve into the groundwater as water moves slowly through fractures and tiny cracks in the stone. Sulfate and chloride come from the same minerals in the bedrock. The flat terrain above means groundwater sits in slow contact with the rock, allowing more of these substances to dissolve into the water.

Groundwater in this county is very hard, driven by elevated calcium and magnesium from the rock below. As water sits in contact with limestone and other minerals, it picks up these hardness-causing elements. These characteristics are widespread across wells throughout the county.

Sulfate, iron, chloride, and manganese in wells across Paulding County exceed EPA health standards. Manganese can harm your nervous system and affect brain development with long-term exposure. Sulfate can cause digestive problems. Chloride at elevated levels raises concerns for people on salt-restricted diets.

Wells in this county have extremely hard water, which leaves thick white scale buildup on fixtures and inside pipes. Iron causes orange or rust-colored staining on sinks, toilets, and laundry. The elevated sulfate can give water a bitter or unpleasant taste. Extremely hard water like this shortens the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers.

Every well is different, and your well may have higher or lower levels than what is common in the county. We recommend testing your well to know exactly what is in it so you can treat it properly. A comprehensive metals and minerals panel runs $200-400. A water softener combined with an iron filter can address these concerns.