Well Water in Alger County: What to Test and Why

Water in Alger County comes from the Jacobsville aquifer, a layer of red sandstone buried deep underground. This sandstone is dense and hard, with tiny cracks and spaces where water fills in and sits. The same type of rock stretches across neighboring counties and has been there for a very long time.

Iron and manganese come straight from the sandstone itself. These metals are baked into the rock minerals, and as groundwater slowly moves through the stone, it picks them up. Radon seeps in from natural radioactive elements in the rock. The deep location and dense stone of this aquifer provide some protection from surface pollution, but they cannot stop these natural contaminants from dissolving into the water.

The water here is extremely hard and loaded with minerals. Iron reaches 565 parts per million, sodium hits 3750, and sulfate climbs to 5250. This means scale builds up thick on pipes and fixtures, orange stains appear on sinks and laundry, and the water tastes salty and bitter. Treatment through a whole-house system combining softening and filtration is needed to make this water work for daily life.

Radon, iron, and manganese all exceed EPA health standards in Alger County's groundwater. This combination requires attention. Radon poses a cancer risk when it escapes from water into your home's air. Iron and manganese can harm your health and your home.

Long-term exposure to radon increases lung cancer risk. Manganese exposure can affect brain development and nervous system function. Iron causes orange or rust staining on fixtures, laundry, and sinks. The water here is extremely hard, which means scale builds up quickly on pipes and appliances. Sodium and sulfate levels are very high, which can affect taste and digestion.

Get your well tested by a state-certified lab right away. A comprehensive mineral and metals panel runs $200–400 and will show exactly what you're dealing with. An aeration system can remove radon, and a water softener combined with iron filtration can address the other contaminants.