Well Water in Greene County: What to Test and Why

Groundwater in Greene County contains iron, chloride, and pfos that well owners should be aware of. These contaminants are present at levels high enough to exceed EPA health standards, making them a concern worth addressing.

Iron gets into groundwater naturally as water moves through the sandy and clay layers that make up this region's aquifer system. Chloride can come from saltwater that has moved inland underground over time, and pfos contamination often comes from industrial or military activities and firefighting materials that have seeped into the ground.

Groundwater in this county is soft with moderate iron as the main mineral of note. Iron dissolves into water as it passes through iron-bearing sandy and clay materials in the aquifer, and these minerals are common enough that many wells in the county show similar iron levels. The water is otherwise low in other minerals like sodium and sulfate.

Wells in Greene County sometimes have chloride, iron, and PFOS at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Chloride at high levels can be harmful to people with heart or kidney problems. Iron in drinking water can cause issues with how your body absorbs certain nutrients. PFOS is a chemical that can build up in your body over time and may affect your immune system and liver.

The iron in county well water is at moderate levels, which means some homeowners notice orange or brown staining on sinks, toilets, and laundry. You might see rust-colored water come out of the tap sometimes. The good news is that Greene County wells are generally soft, so you will not have the scale buildup or appliance damage that comes with hard water.

We recommend testing your well water with a comprehensive panel to find out exactly what is in your water. Every well is different, and your water 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 get the right treatment. A comprehensive metals and minerals panel typically costs between two hundred and four hundred dollars, and treatment options like iron filters or activated carbon can address multiple concerns at once.