Well Water in Sanilac County: What to Test and Why

Your well water in Sanilac County comes from the Marshall aquifer, a layer of sandstone buried deep underground. This rock formed long ago from sand that piled up on an ancient seafloor. The sandstone holds water in the tiny spaces between its grains, and wells tap into it by drilling down through layers of clay and glacial material above.

The Marshall aquifer in this area stays clean because of the thick clay layer sitting on top of it. This clay acts like a natural cap, blocking rainwater and surface pollution from seeping down to the water below. Groundwater moves slowly through the sandstone, giving it time to filter naturally. The geology here protects your water from the kinds of contamination found in neighboring counties.

The mineral content of water from sandstone aquifers varies across the region, but data for your county's specific minerals is not available. You should have your well tested to learn what minerals your water contains. A basic test will tell you if iron staining or hardness will be problems for your household, and help you decide if you need any treatment.

Your county sits in an area flagged for arsenic as a health concern. Testing from Sanilac County wells has not detected arsenic above EPA health standards in the data reviewed, but your area is classified as a priority zone. This means you should test your own well to know what's in your water.

Without the mineral test results from your well, we cannot tell you about staining, taste, or odor problems. Your water quality depends on your specific well location and depth. A complete picture requires lab results from your own system.

Get your well tested by a state-certified lab right away. A basic health screen for bacteria and nitrate costs fifty to one hundred dollars. A comprehensive panel that includes arsenic and other metals costs two to four hundred dollars.