Well Water in Alexandria city: What to Test and Why

Well owners in Alexandria should be aware of iron, manganese, and chloride in their groundwater. These contaminants exceed EPA health standards in this area, making them a concern for your water supply.

The Northern Atlantic Coastal Plain aquifer system beneath Alexandria contains naturally iron-rich and manganese-rich rocks and sediment. Chloride enters groundwater from road salt used on streets and highways during winter months, which seeps down through the soil into the water below. Both sources--natural minerals in the rock and salt from roads--are common in this urban area.

Groundwater in Alexandria is moderately hard, with iron as the main mineral that shapes the water's character. Iron concentrates here because the underground rocks and sediment naturally contain iron compounds that dissolve into flowing groundwater. Wells across this city commonly encounter elevated iron and moderate hardness.

Wells in Alexandria city commonly contain chloride, iron, and manganese at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Chloride at high levels can harm people with heart disease or high blood pressure. Iron and manganese can affect the nervous system, especially in infants and young children, and may cause developmental delays with long-term exposure.

County well water with elevated iron leaves orange or brown stains on fixtures, laundry, and sinks. The water may taste metallic or look cloudy. Moderately hard water reduces how well soap works and leaves scale buildup on pipes and appliances like water heaters and dishwashers, shortening their lifespan.

We recommend testing your well water right away with a comprehensive panel since multiple analytes exceed standards in this area. Every well is different--yours could have much higher or lower levels than what is common in the county. Testing costs between $200 and $400 and is the only way to know exactly what is in your water so you can treat it correctly. Iron filters and water softeners can address these problems.