Well Water in Martinsville city: What to Test and Why

Low Risk
Informational — Low Risk Detected 0 well tests on record

Why This Happens Here

Groundwater in Martinsville contains iron, arsenic, and chloride. Iron is the main concern here, showing levels high enough that the EPA considers it a health standard to watch.

Iron comes from the crystalline rock underground that makes up the aquifer in this area. As water slowly moves through cracks in this ancient rock, it dissolves iron naturally present in the stone.

Groundwater in Martinsville is notably high in iron. The crystalline rock that supplies the water naturally contains iron minerals that dissolve as water passes through. Iron is a common finding in wells across this county.

What This Means for You

Wells in Martinsville city show iron at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Iron in drinking water can cause digestive problems and affect how your body absorbs certain nutrients over time. The good news is that iron concerns in this county are not considered urgent health issues, and testing will tell you exactly what you are dealing with.

Iron in well water here creates the most noticeable quality-of-life problems. You might see rusty stains on sinks, toilets, and laundry. The water could taste metallic or leave a brownish color in your glass. These aesthetic issues are frustrating but do not pose health risks at the levels found in county wells.

We recommend testing your well to find out what is actually in your water, since every well is different and yours may have higher or lower iron than what is common in the area. A basic screening test runs fifty to one hundred dollars and will tell you if you need more detailed testing. Testing is the only way to know for certain what treatment your well needs, whether that is iron removal through a filter or oxidation system. Contact your local health department or a certified well testing lab to arrange testing.

Contaminant Detection Data

Contaminant Samples % Above MCL Distribution Confidence Risk

MCL = Maximum Contaminant Level (EPA limit for public water; used as benchmark for private wells). Distribution shows % of sampled wells in each concentration band. Methodology.
* Microbial contaminants (E. coli, coliform) reflect only samples from the last 10 years.

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