Well Water in Adams County: What to Test and Why

Groundwater in Adams County contains radon, manganese, and iron that well owners should know about. These contaminants exceed EPA health standards and require attention.

The crystalline bedrock beneath Adams County naturally releases these metals as groundwater slowly moves through tiny cracks and fractures in the rock. Radon gas forms inside the rock itself and dissolves into water as it passes through. Road salt from winter highway treatments also contributes some contamination in areas near major roads.

Groundwater in this county is soft with moderate iron as the main mineral characteristic. Iron comes directly from the minerals in the crystalline bedrock as water breaks them down over time. These characteristics show up in most wells across the county.

Wells in Adams County commonly contain iron, manganese, PFOA, PFOS, and radon at levels exceeding EPA health standards. Radon is a radioactive gas that increases lung cancer risk with long-term exposure. Manganese can harm brain development in children and affect the nervous system. PFOA and PFOS are human-made chemicals linked to serious health problems including liver damage, thyroid disease, and immune system effects. Iron and sulfate do not pose direct health risks at the levels found here.

County well water shows moderate iron levels that cause orange or reddish-brown stains on sinks, toilets, and laundry. You may notice a metallic or sulfurous taste or smell in your water. The water in this county is soft, so you will not see heavy scale buildup in pipes and appliances like you would in harder water areas.

We recommend testing your well through a certified lab because every well is different and your water may have higher or lower levels than what is common in the county. A comprehensive metals and radon panel runs between two hundred and four hundred dollars and is the only way to know what is actually in your water so it can be properly treated. Testing is the first step to protecting your family. Aeration systems and activated carbon filters can remove radon and reduce iron staining.