Well Water in Prince Edward County: What to Test and Why

Groundwater in Prince Edward County contains radon, iron, and manganese at levels that exceed EPA health standards. These contaminants are present in amounts serious enough that well owners should test for them and consider treatment options.

The Early Mesozoic basin rock beneath this county naturally contains iron and manganese minerals. As water flows through these rock layers, it dissolves these metals and carries them into wells. Radon seeps from the rock itself as uranium and radium decay underground over time.

Groundwater in this county is soft, but it does contain elevated iron that comes from the rock formation below. Iron concentration in the groundwater here is moderate, driven by the iron-rich minerals in the basin rock that water passes through. Most wells in this county show some level of iron and radon, though the amount varies from well to well.

Wells in Prince Edward County contain iron, manganese, and radon at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Iron and manganese can build up in your body over time and cause problems with your nervous system and bones. Radon is a radioactive gas that comes from rocks underground and can increase your risk of lung cancer when you breathe it in over many years.

The iron in county well water can stain your clothes, dishes, and bathroom fixtures with a reddish-brown color. You might notice a metallic taste or smell when the water comes out of the tap. Because the water in this county is soft, you won't deal with heavy scale buildup on your pipes and appliances like you would in harder water areas.

We recommend testing your well with a comprehensive panel to find out exactly what is in your water, since every well is different and yours could have higher or lower levels than what is common in the county. Testing is the only way to know what you are dealing with so you can treat it properly. A comprehensive metals and minerals panel usually costs between two hundred and four hundred dollars. Treatment options like aeration systems or special filters can remove iron and manganese, and radon can be handled with ventilation or special filtration systems.