Well Water in Forest County: What to Test and Why

Groundwater in Forest County contains radon, PFOS, and PFOA, along with lead and chloride. Several of these contaminants exceed EPA health standards and warrant attention.

These contaminants come from natural and human sources in the rock and soil. Radon seeps from uranium scattered naturally throughout the Pennsylvanian rock layers beneath the county. PFOS and PFOA are industrial chemicals that enter groundwater from industrial sites, landfills, and some aqueous film-forming foams used in firefighting. Lead and chloride can come from old well materials, road salt, and naturally fractured rock that allows surface water to reach the aquifer.

Groundwater in Forest County is soft with low sodium and sulfate levels, making it relatively undemanding for pipes and appliances. The Pennsylvanian sandstone and shale here do not naturally release large amounts of hardness minerals like calcium and magnesium. These soft-water characteristics are common across wells throughout the county.

Wells in Forest County commonly show chloride, lead, PFOA, and PFOS at levels above EPA health standards, along with radon. Lead damages children's brain and nervous system development, and even small amounts are a health concern. PFOA and PFOS are human-made chemicals linked to serious health effects with long-term exposure. Chloride at elevated levels can affect kidney function and blood pressure. Radon is a radioactive gas that increases lung cancer risk when present in water.

The good news is that Forest County wells are soft and low in sodium and sulfate, so you should not see heavy staining, scale buildup, or salty taste in your water. Hard water problems like crusty deposits on faucets or shortened appliance lifespan are not common concerns here. Your water quality for mineral content is relatively straightforward.

We recommend testing your well to know what contaminants are actually present in your specific water. Since multiple analytes exceed health standards in county wells, a comprehensive metals panel including lead and PFOA/PFOS testing is recommended, along with a radon test. Testing typically costs $200-400 for a comprehensive panel. Treatment options like activated carbon filters or reverse osmosis systems can address some of these contaminants, depending on your results.