Well Water in Franklin County: What to Test and Why

Radon, manganese, and iron are the main contaminants in Franklin County groundwater that well owners need to watch for. Radon, chloride, iron, and manganese all exceed EPA health standards in this area, so testing your well is important.

The limestone bedrock beneath Franklin County naturally contains radioactive elements that break down into radon gas, which seeps into groundwater over time. Iron and manganese dissolve from the rock as water filters down through cracks and layers, especially where the water is slightly acidic. Chloride can enter from road salt or other surface sources, though it is less common than the naturally occurring metals.

Groundwater in this county is moderately hard, with elevated iron and moderate hardness driven by calcium and magnesium from the limestone below. These minerals concentrate here because water moving through carbonate rock dissolves calcium and magnesium naturally, while iron comes from iron-bearing minerals in the bedrock. Moderate iron levels and moderate hardness show up consistently across wells throughout the county.

Radon, chloride, iron, and manganese exceed EPA health standards in Franklin County wells. Radon is a radioactive gas that enters your body when you breathe it in and can increase your risk of lung cancer over time. Chloride at elevated levels can be harmful to people with high blood pressure or heart conditions. Iron and manganese can damage organs and affect how your body works when consumed at high levels over many years.

The moderately hard water common in this county can leave rust-colored or brown stains on fixtures and laundry. You might notice a metallic taste in your water. Iron can clog pipes and damage appliances like water heaters and dishwashers, shortening how long they last. Scale buildup from hardness can reduce water flow over time.

We recommend testing your well with a comprehensive panel that checks for all these contaminants, since multiple analytes exceed health standards here. Every well is different, and your water could have higher or lower levels than what is common in the county. Testing costs between $200 and $400 and is the only way to know what is actually in your well so it can be properly treated. Treatment options include radon mitigation systems, water softeners, and iron removal filters.