Well Water in Logan County: What to Test and Why

Your well draws water from old limestone and dolomite rock deep underground. This rock is broken by cracks and tiny spaces that let water flow through slowly. The same type of rock sits under all five neighboring counties in this region.

Radon gas comes naturally from the breakdown of uranium in the limestone itself. Iron and manganese dissolve out of the rock as water sits in contact with it over time. Sulfate builds up the same way—the water picks it up grain by grain as it moves through the stone. There is no pollution layer or clay blanket blocking contaminants here, so these elements reach your well at high levels.

Your water is extremely hard and full of minerals that create real problems at home. Expect thick white crusty buildup on faucets, showerheads, and inside pipes and water heaters. You will see orange-brown staining on sinks and toilets from the iron. A water softener combined with an iron filter will handle most of these issues.

Radon, iron, and manganese in Logan County well water exceed EPA health standards. Radon is a radioactive gas that comes from natural rock and enters your water through cracks in the bedrock. Iron and manganese also show up at levels above what the EPA recommends for drinking water. Your water needs testing right away.

Long-term exposure to radon increases your risk of lung cancer, especially if radon also enters your home through the air. High iron and manganese cause orange-brown staining on sinks, toilets, and laundry. Your water will taste metallic and look discolored. The extreme hardness means thick white scale buildup on fixtures and inside pipes.

Get your well tested by a state-certified lab. A basic health screen for bacteria and nitrate costs fifty to one hundred dollars. A comprehensive mineral and metals panel runs two hundred to four hundred dollars. Ask the lab to test for radon, iron, manganese, and other metals. Installing a radon-removal system and a whole-house filter can address these problems.