Well Water in Susquehanna County: What to Test and Why

Groundwater in Susquehanna County contains radon, manganese, and iron that well owners should know about. Several of these contaminants exceed EPA health standards and require attention.

These contaminants come from the local rock itself. Radon forms naturally inside the fractured rock beneath the county as radioactive minerals break down. Iron and manganese dissolve into the water as it passes slowly through the rock layers underground.

Groundwater in this county is soft with moderate iron present. Iron dissolves directly from minerals in the rock as water moves through cracks and fractures. These moderate iron levels show up across many wells in the county.

Wells in Susquehanna County commonly contain arsenic, chloride, iron, manganese, and radon at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Arsenic can damage your kidneys and increase cancer risk over time. Chloride at high levels can harm people with heart disease or high blood pressure. Radon is a radioactive gas released from water into the air you breathe, increasing lung cancer risk with long-term exposure. Manganese can affect brain development and nervous system function.

County well water shows moderate iron levels that cause rust-colored staining on sinks, toilets, and laundry. You may notice a metallic or rotten-egg taste in your water. Iron can clog pipes and reduce water pressure over time. The water in this county is relatively soft, so you should not experience heavy scale buildup on fixtures.

We recommend testing your well with a comprehensive metals and radon panel, since multiple contaminants exceed health standards. Every well is different, and 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 $200-400. Treatment options like radon aeration systems and activated carbon filters can address these concerns.