Well Water in Luzerne County: What to Test and Why

Groundwater in Luzerne County contains manganese, radon, arsenic, and sulfate at levels that exceed EPA health standards. These contaminants are present at concentrations that warrant testing and possible treatment.

The Mississippian rock beneath this county naturally contains manganese, arsenic, and radon trapped inside. As groundwater moves slowly through cracks in this old bedrock, it dissolves these elements and carries them into wells. Sulfate builds up the same way--from minerals in the rock that dissolve when water sits in contact with them over time.

Groundwater in this county is soft, with low hardness and low sodium. The moderate iron and moderate sulfate levels found here reflect the natural mineral content of the Mississippian aquifer. These characteristics are common across wells tested in this county.

Wells in Luzerne County commonly contain arsenic, manganese, PFHXS, PFOA, PFOS, radon, and sulfate at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Arsenic exposure over many years increases the risk of cancer and can harm the kidneys and heart. Manganese at elevated levels can affect brain development and nervous system health, especially in children. Radon is a radioactive gas that gets released from water into the air you breathe; long-term exposure increases lung cancer risk. PFOA, PFOS, and PFHXS are human-made chemicals linked to liver damage, immune system problems, and other health effects.

Your county's wells show moderate levels of iron, which causes rust-colored staining on sinks, toilets, and laundry. The water may have a metallic or slightly off taste and smell. Sulfate at moderate levels can give water a bitter taste. The good news is that wells here are relatively soft, so you should not see heavy white scale buildup on pipes and fixtures like you would in harder water areas.

We recommend a comprehensive metals and minerals panel to test for all the contaminants found in county wells, since multiple analytes exceed health standards. Testing typically costs between $200 and $400 and is the only way to know what is actually in your well so you can treat it properly. Every well is different, and your water may have higher or lower levels than what is common in the county. Aeration systems can help remove radon, and ion exchange or other filtration methods can address arsenic and other metals.