Well Water in Fayette County: What to Test and Why

Your well draws water from old sandstone and shale rock that sits deep underground. This rock formed hundreds of millions of years ago from sand and mud that got pressed into stone. Water fills the tiny cracks and spaces inside this rock layer, and that is where your well pulls its supply.

The contaminants in your water come from the rock itself. As water slowly moves through these old layers, it dissolves minerals like iron, manganese, and sulfate that are locked inside the stone. Radon gas comes from uranium naturally present in the shale. Arsenic and chloride also come from minerals in the rock that dissolve into the water over time.

Your water is extremely hard and mineral-rich. You will see reddish-brown staining on sinks and fixtures from iron, and white crusty buildup from the high mineral content. This hardness shortens the life of water heaters and washing machines, and your water tastes bitter or salty from the dissolved minerals.

Your well water in Fayette County exceeds EPA health standards for arsenic, iron, manganese, radon, and other contaminants. Arsenic is the most serious concern because it has no taste or smell—you cannot tell it is there. This is a high-urgency situation that demands your immediate attention.

Long-term exposure to arsenic increases cancer risk and can harm your kidneys and nervous system. The extremely high levels of iron, sodium, sulfate, and hardness will stain your sinks and fixtures with rust-colored marks, damage your plumbing, clog your water heater, and make your water taste bitter and salty. Your appliances will wear out faster from the mineral buildup.

Call a state-certified lab right now and order a comprehensive mineral and metals panel to confirm what is in your water—this runs $200–400. A point-of-use reverse osmosis system under your kitchen sink can remove arsenic and reduce other contaminants.