Well Water in Wexford County: What to Test and Why

Groundwater in Wexford County contains iron and manganese, with arsenic also detected at lower levels. Iron and manganese both exceed EPA health standards in this county's wells.

These metals dissolve naturally from the rock layers beneath Wexford County as groundwater sits in contact with the mixed stone composition here. The "other rocks" geology--a mixture of different stone types rather than a single uniform layer--holds iron and manganese-bearing minerals that release into the water over time.

Groundwater in this county is hard, driven by elevated calcium and magnesium from the bedrock below. As water moves slowly through these mineral-rich rock layers, it picks up these dissolved minerals naturally. Hard water is common across wells in Wexford County.

Wells in Wexford County commonly have iron and manganese at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Long-term exposure to elevated iron can affect your body's ability to absorb other nutrients. Manganese at high levels can harm your brain and nervous system, especially in children. Even though these metals occur naturally in groundwater, their presence in your county's wells warrants attention.

Hard water is common in this county, and the elevated iron levels here will cause orange or rust-colored staining on sinks, toilets, and laundry. You may also notice a metallic taste in your water or buildup and scaling inside pipes and on faucets. These mineral deposits can shorten the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers over time.

We recommend testing your well water, since every well is different and your water may contain higher or lower levels than what is typical for the county. Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your well so it can be properly treated. A comprehensive metals and minerals panel typically costs $200-400 and will tell you exactly what you're dealing with. Iron removal filters or water softeners can help reduce staining and buildup.