Well Water in Franklin County: What to Test and Why

Your well water comes from old limestone rock deep underground. This rock has many cracks and holes where water collects and flows. The limestone sits beneath valleys in this part of Pennsylvania and holds water for thousands of homes.

Radon comes from tiny amounts of uranium naturally inside the limestone. Iron dissolves out of the rock layers as water moves slowly through cracks. Sulfate enters the water from sulfur-bearing minerals in the same rock, and also from road salt that seeps down from winter highway treatments. The fractured limestone provides few natural barriers to keep these out.

Your water is extremely hard because limestone dissolves easily and adds minerals. Hard water leaves thick white crusty buildup on pipes and fixtures. Iron staining shows up as orange-brown marks in sinks and toilets. You will notice these effects in daily life with washing and cleaning.

Radon, iron, and sulfate all exceed EPA health standards in Franklin County wells. Radon is a radioactive gas that forms naturally in the ground and dissolves into groundwater. Iron and sulfate also show up at levels that warrant attention. Your family's exposure depends on which contaminants are in your specific well.

Long-term exposure to radon increases lung cancer risk, especially in homes with poor ventilation. High iron stains sinks, toilets, and laundry orange and brown. Sulfate at these levels can cause stomach problems and loose stools. The water is also very hard, leaving thick white scale buildup on pipes and fixtures that reduces water flow over time.

Get your well tested by a state-certified lab to see which contaminants are actually in your water. A basic health screen for bacteria and nitrate costs fifty to one hundred dollars. A comprehensive metals and radon panel costs two hundred to four hundred dollars. Aeration systems can remove both radon and iron.