Well Water in Oakland County: What to Test and Why

Your well water in Oakland County comes from a layer of sandstone and other rock buried deep underground. This rock sits below clay and soil that have protected it for thousands of years. Water moves slowly through tiny spaces in this rock, which means it stays underground for a long time.

The contaminants in your water come from the rock itself. Iron, arsenic, and radon are natural minerals and elements locked inside the sandstone. As water sits in contact with this rock in low-oxygen conditions deep underground, these materials dissolve into your water. Sulfate and chloride also come from the rock and from road salt that soaks down through soil over many years.

Your water is very mineral-heavy. You have extremely high levels of sodium, sulfate, and iron that will affect your daily life. Iron will stain your sinks, toilets, and laundry orange-brown, and sulfate can give water a bitter taste. High sodium makes water taste salty and can damage pipes and water heaters faster than normal.

Arsenic in Oakland County well water exceeds EPA health standards. Radon also exceeds its limit. Iron and sulfate are found at levels that warrant testing. This is a high-urgency situation that needs your attention right away.

Long-term exposure to arsenic increases your risk of cancer and can damage your kidneys and heart. Radon in drinking water raises lung cancer risk over time. The very high iron levels will stain your sinks, toilets, and laundry orange-red. High sulfate can give water a bitter or rotten-egg taste and smell.

Get your well water tested by a state-certified lab right away. A basic health screen costs $50–100, while a comprehensive metals and minerals panel runs $200–400. Arsenic removal typically requires a specialized treatment system installed at your water's entry point into your home.