Well Water in Lamoille County: What to Test and Why

Groundwater in Lamoille County contains arsenic, chloride, iron, lead, manganese, nitrate, radon, and uranium at levels that exceed EPA health standards. These contaminants are present at concerning levels that warrant attention and testing before relying on a private well.

The source of these contaminants varies by type. Radon comes from natural radioactive decay in the bedrock itself. Iron and manganese seep into water as it moves through the rock layers underground. Arsenic, uranium, and lead also occur naturally in the local stone. Nitrate and chloride typically come from human activities like fertilizer use and road salt spreading, which soak down into the groundwater.

Groundwater in this county is very hard, driven by calcium and magnesium that dissolve from the rock as water passes through. The bedrock geology here naturally produces this hard water condition as rainfall and snowmelt slowly move underground. Very hard water is the norm across most wells in Lamoille County.

Wells in Lamoille County sometimes contain arsenic, lead, uranium, and radon at levels above EPA health standards. Arsenic and uranium can damage your kidneys and bones over many years of drinking. Lead harms children's brains and development, even at low levels, and can affect adults' blood pressure and kidneys. Radon is a radioactive gas that increases lung cancer risk when breathed in over time. Nitrate and chloride also exceed standards in some county wells; nitrate is especially dangerous for babies and can interfere with oxygen in their blood.

County wells often have very hard water, which means lots of minerals dissolved in them. Hard water leaves white scale buildup on faucets, showerheads, and inside pipes. It makes soap work poorly, leaves spots on dishes and glass, and can shorten the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers. You might notice dry skin or dull hair from washing in hard water.

We recommend testing your well because every well is different and yours could have higher or lower levels than what is common in the county. A comprehensive panel testing for metals, minerals, bacteria, and nitrate costs between two hundred and four hundred dollars and is the only way to know what is actually in your water so you can treat it properly. A water softener can address hardness, and other treatments exist for specific contaminants once testing shows what you have.