Well Water in King George County: What to Test and Why

Groundwater in King George County contains arsenic, chloride, iron, manganese, radon, and sulfate at levels that exceed federal health standards. These contaminants are present at concentrations serious enough that well owners should test their water and consider treatment options.

The Northern Atlantic Coastal Plain aquifer system here is made of sand, clay, and other sediments that naturally contain iron and manganese. Radon comes from radioactive elements in the rock itself and seeps into groundwater over time. Arsenic and chloride also occur naturally in these sediments and can concentrate where water moves slowly underground.

Groundwater in this county is soft but carries elevated iron and sodium from the sediments surrounding the water-bearing layers. Iron dissolves from the sandy and clay-rich rock as water passes through, while sodium occurs naturally in these coastal plain deposits. Most wells in King George County show these characteristics to some degree, though individual wells vary.

Wells in King George County show arsenic, radon, chloride, and manganese at levels above EPA health standards. Arsenic exposure over time increases the risk of cancer and can harm the nervous system and kidneys. Radon is a radioactive gas that builds up in homes and raises lung cancer risk. Chloride and manganese at elevated levels can affect your health with long-term exposure, particularly for infants and people with certain health conditions.

Iron and manganese in county well water create orange or brown staining on sinks, toilets, and laundry. These minerals can leave a metallic taste in your water and cause odors. The good news is that King George County wells are generally soft, so you won't deal with heavy mineral scale buildup on pipes and appliances.

We recommend testing your well right away since every well is different and yours could have higher or lower levels than what is typical in the county. A comprehensive panel that checks for metals, minerals, and radioactive contaminants runs between $200 and $400 and is the only way to know what you're actually dealing with. Testing tells you exactly what treatment your well needs--whether that's installing a carbon filter for chloride, an ion exchange system for iron and manganese, or radon mitigation.