Well Water in Tompkins County: What to Test and Why

Manganese and radon are the contaminants well owners should know about in Tompkins County. Both exceed EPA health standards, making them a concern that warrants testing and attention.

Manganese and radon come from the limestone bedrock beneath this county. As groundwater flows through cracks and spaces in the limestone, it picks up manganese naturally present in the rock, and radon gas seeps in from tiny amounts of radioactive minerals embedded in the stone.

Groundwater in this county is very hard, driven by calcium and magnesium released from the limestone as water permeates through it. These minerals dissolve readily in acidic water passing through carbonate rock. Very hard water is widespread across wells throughout the county.

Wells in Tompkins County commonly contain manganese and radon at levels above EPA health standards. Manganese can affect how your nervous system works and may harm brain development in children. Radon is a radioactive gas that enters groundwater from natural sources in the bedrock and increases your risk of lung cancer when you breathe it in over many years.

The very hard water in county wells causes mineral scale buildup inside pipes, water heaters, and appliances like dishwashers, which can shorten their lifespan. You may notice rust-colored staining on fixtures and laundry from iron in the water. Hard water also makes soap less effective for cleaning and can leave a chalky feeling on skin and hair.

We recommend a comprehensive metals and minerals panel to find out exactly what is in your well, since every well is different and yours may have higher or lower levels than what is common in the county. Testing is the only way to know what you are actually drinking and using so it can be properly treated. A comprehensive panel typically costs between two hundred and four hundred dollars. Treatment options like radon mitigation systems or water softeners can address the specific problems your testing reveals.