Well Water in Wood County: What to Test and Why

Groundwater in Wood County contains lead, iron, and sulfate at concentrations that exceed EPA health standards. These contaminant levels are serious enough to warrant testing and attention from well owners.

The rock beneath Wood County naturally releases iron and sulfate as groundwater moves slowly through cracks and fractures. Lead also occurs naturally in the bedrock here. The flat terrain and proximity of the aquifer to the surface mean that groundwater sits in close contact with these minerals for extended periods, allowing them to dissolve into the water.

Groundwater in this county is very hard, driven by elevated calcium and magnesium from the limestone bedrock below. The slow movement of water through the carbonate rock allows these minerals to dissolve readily into the water. These hard-water characteristics are widespread across wells throughout Wood County.

Arsenic, chloride, iron, lead, manganese, and sulfate all exceed EPA health standards in wells across Wood County. Arsenic is colorless and odorless, so you cannot taste or smell it, but long-term exposure can increase cancer risk and damage organs. Lead is especially harmful to children's brains and development. Manganese can affect how the nervous system works. Chloride and sulfate at high levels can stress the kidneys over time.

The water in this county is extremely hard, which means white, crusty buildup will form on faucets, showerheads, and inside pipes. The high iron content stains sinks, toilets, and laundry orange or rust-colored. Sulfate can give the water a bitter or rotten-egg taste and odor. This extreme hardness can shorten the lifespan of water heaters, dishwashers, and other appliances.

We recommend testing your well with a comprehensive metals and minerals panel, since multiple contaminants exceed health standards here. Every well is different--your well 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. A comprehensive panel typically costs between $200 and $400. Treatment options like water softeners for hardness and oxidation filters for iron and manganese can help address these concerns.