Well Water in Shelby County: What to Test and Why

Groundwater in Shelby County contains radon, manganese, sulfate, chloride, and iron at levels that exceed EPA health standards. These are serious contaminants that require your attention and testing.

The rock beneath Shelby County naturally contains radioactive material that releases radon gas, and minerals like iron and manganese that dissolve into groundwater as it moves slowly through cracks in the bedrock. Chloride and sulfate accumulate as water sits in contact with these rock layers over time. None of these contaminants come from pollution--they are baked into the geology here.

Groundwater in this county is very hard, driven by calcium and magnesium dissolved from the bedrock, along with elevated iron and sulfate that add to the mineral character of the water. These mineral-rich characteristics are widespread across wells throughout Shelby County.

Wells in Shelby County commonly contain chloride, iron, manganese, radon, and sulfate at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Radon is a radioactive gas that increases lung cancer risk with long-term exposure. Chloride at elevated levels can raise blood pressure over time. Iron and manganese at high concentrations can affect children's brain development and cause other organ damage with years of exposure.

The water in this county is extremely hard, which causes thick white crusty buildup on faucets, showerheads, and inside pipes. Iron stains sinks, toilets, and laundry orange-brown. High sulfate levels can give the water a bitter or unpleasant taste. This extreme hardness can shorten the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers.

We recommend testing your well with a comprehensive metals and minerals panel, since multiple contaminants exceed health standards in county wells. Every well is different, and your well may have higher or lower levels than what is common here. Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your water so it can be properly treated. Treatment options include radon aeration systems combined with water softeners and iron filters.