Well Water in Spotsylvania County: What to Test and Why

Groundwater in Spotsylvania County contains radon, arsenic, and sulfate at levels that exceed EPA health standards. These contaminants are present at concerning concentrations and warrant testing and treatment consideration for private well owners.

Radon comes from natural decay of uranium in the rock and soil layers beneath the county. Arsenic occurs naturally in the sedimentary layers of the Northern Atlantic Coastal Plain aquifer system that supplies groundwater here. Sulfate also enters the water from minerals in these same geological layers and can be enhanced by land drainage patterns in the area.

Groundwater in this county is soft with moderate iron content. The iron dissolves from minerals in the sedimentary rocks as water moves slowly underground. These characteristics show up in many wells across the county, though individual well results vary.

Wells in Spotsylvania County show arsenic, radon, and sulfate at levels that exceed EPA health standards in some cases. Arsenic is a poison that builds up in your body over time and can cause serious health problems including cancer. Radon is a radioactive gas that comes from the ground and increases the risk of lung cancer when you breathe it in over many years. Sulfate can cause digestive issues, especially in infants and people with certain health conditions.

The good news is that the mineral levels in county well water are generally mild. Iron can leave orange or brown stains on fixtures and laundry, but the amounts here are moderate. Your water should not taste salty or have strong odors from these minerals. Hard water scale buildup is not a concern with the softer water found in this county.

We recommend testing your well water to find out what is actually in it, since every well is different and yours could have higher or lower levels than the county average. A comprehensive testing panel that checks for metals, minerals, bacteria, and radioactive elements runs between $200 and $400. Testing is the only way to know for certain what needs treatment, whether that is a carbon filter for arsenic, a radon mitigation system, or another solution.