Well Water in Delaware County: What to Test and Why

Your well draws water from an underground layer of sand, gravel, and broken rock pieces that form the Northern Atlantic Coastal Plain aquifer system. This mixed layer sits fairly close to the land surface across Delaware County. Water moves down through the soil and then sideways through the spaces between these sand and gravel pieces.

Radon enters your water because it forms naturally from trace amounts of uranium in the rock. PFOA shows up because it was used in manufacturing and has seeped into the groundwater in certain areas. Iron dissolves out of the rock itself when water sits in low-oxygen conditions underground. Sulfate also comes from the rock layers in this region.

Your water is extremely hard and carries heavy mineral loads. Iron is present at high enough levels to stain sinks, toilets, and laundry. Sodium and sulfate are also very high, which affects taste and can be a concern for people on restricted diets or with certain health conditions.

Your water in Delaware County exceeds EPA health standards for radon, PFOA, iron, and sulfate. These contaminants are found at levels that require immediate attention. This is a serious situation that demands action now, not later.

Long-term exposure to radon increases cancer risk. PFOA is linked to thyroid disease and other health problems. Iron at these high levels will stain your sinks, toilets, and laundry badly. Your water will also taste and smell unpleasant due to the mineral content, and it is extremely hard, causing scaling in pipes and appliances.

Get your well tested by a state-certified lab right away. A comprehensive metals and minerals panel costs between $200 and $400. Whole-house treatment systems combining filtration and specialized filters can address multiple contaminants at once.