Well Water in Westmoreland County: What to Test and Why

Your well draws water from bedrock made of old sandstone, shale, and siltstone. These rock layers sit deep underground and formed from ancient ocean sediment. Water fills the tiny cracks and spaces between the stones.

The rock beneath Westmoreland County protects groundwater from contamination. The thick layers of soil and clay above the bedrock act as a natural filter. Water moves slowly through the deep cracks in the stone, which gives contaminants time to break down before reaching your well.

The water from this bedrock carries some minerals but in low amounts. You may notice the water is slightly hard, which means mineral deposits can build up slowly on fixtures over time. A simple test will show you exactly what minerals are in your water.

Good news—your area's water shows no contaminants detected at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Testing in Westmoreland County wells has not turned up bacteria, nitrate, or other harmful substances at dangerous amounts. This puts your well in a better position than many areas in Pennsylvania.

However, you still should get your own well tested because water quality varies from one property to another. Your well's depth, age, and location all affect what you might find. A basic health screen for bacteria and nitrate costs fifty to one hundred dollars and gives you peace of mind about the essentials.

Get a certified lab test done through your county extension office or a state-certified lab. A comprehensive mineral and metals panel runs two hundred to four hundred dollars if you want to check for iron, sodium, sulfate, and other minerals that could affect taste, staining, or plumbing.