Well Water in Charlottesville city: What to Test and Why

Fecal coliform has been detected in Charlottesville city groundwater and well owners should be aware of it. Contaminant levels here are low overall, with no health standards exceeded in the data.

Fecal coliform comes from surface sources like septic systems, animal waste, or aged pipes that allow sewage to leak into groundwater. The hard crystalline rock that makes up this area's aquifer can have cracks and gaps that allow contamination from the surface to reach wells, especially older or shallower ones. Good well maintenance and proper septic care help keep this contamination out.

Groundwater in Charlottesville is shaped by the hard crystalline rock below, which is composed of granite and related minerals that release some iron and hardness into the water. These minerals dissolve slowly from the rock as water flows through it over time. Not all wells show the same levels, and water character varies from well to well depending on depth and local geology.

Good news: wells in Charlottesville city have not shown contamination at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Fecal coliform bacteria has been detected in some wells in the area and is a concern because it signals that disease-causing germs may be present. This bacteria comes from animal waste and human sewage and can cause serious stomach illness.

Some wells in this area show sediment and iron, which can create practical problems in your home. Iron can stain clothes and fixtures with reddish marks and make water taste like metal. Sediment can cloud your water and clog pipes over time.

We recommend getting your well tested so you know exactly what is in your water. Every well is different, and your well may have different levels than what is common in the area. A basic test for bacteria and common concerns costs around fifty to one hundred dollars and is the only way to find out what treatment your water actually needs. Simple fixes like chlorination or sediment filters can address many issues found in local wells.