Well Water in Monroe County: What to Test and Why

Old limestone sits beneath Monroe County and holds the water in your well. This rock is full of tiny cracks and spaces where groundwater collects. These underground passages let water flow slowly through the stone layers.

Radon is the main health concern here because it forms naturally inside the old limestone as radioactive material decays over time. The cracks in the rock trap this gas, and it dissolves into the water. Arsenic and chloride also occur naturally in the limestone, released when water sits in contact with the rock for years.

Your water is extremely hard because limestone is rich in minerals that dissolve easily. You will see thick white scale buildup on faucets and inside pipes. The high sodium and sulfate levels will affect how the water tastes and may require a treatment system to reduce them.

Radon in Monroe County well water exceeds EPA health standards. This radioactive gas comes from natural rock underground and enters your water when it's drawn from deep wells. Arsenic and chloride are found at levels that warrant testing, though they have not exceeded federal limits in most local wells.

Long-term exposure to radon increases your risk of lung cancer over many years, especially if you breathe the gas released when you shower or use hot water. The minerals in your water—particularly high sodium, sulfate, and iron—cause staining on sinks and laundry, white scale buildup on pipes and fixtures, and a salty or metallic taste. These quality-of-life issues are noticeable and annoying rather than immediately harmful.

Get your well tested by a state-certified lab right away for radon, arsenic, and chloride. A basic health screen costs fifty to one hundred dollars, while a comprehensive metals panel runs two hundred to four hundred dollars. A treatment system that removes radon through aeration or carbon filters can reduce your exposure.