What Minerals are in Well Water?

The Most Common Well Water Minerals

• The earth's geologic composition varies by region, so the minerals in any underground water supply will contain varying degrees of many different minerals. The most common minerals found in well water in most regions are iron, magnesium, calcium, zinc, sodium, potassium, uranium, manganese, lead, copper, chloride, fluoride, arsenic, sulphates and nitrates.

  Some of the elements found in well water do not come from natural sources. Manufacturing plants, gas stations and underground oil tanks are examples. If any of the chemicals, gas or oil seep into the ground, they will naturally become a part of the water supply.

Regulations and Standards

• The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has strict regulations and standards for the levels of minerals in public water supplies, including public wells. They do not regulate privately-owned wells that supply people's homes, but they do make standards and recommendations for testing available.

  Because private wells are not regulated, it is important for every well owner to have their private wells filtered and tested on a regular basis.

Non-health Related Issues

• If the copper, salt or iron levels in your water are too high, you will notice a very distinctive taste in your water. Copper will make the water bitter, salt will make it taste salty and iron will give the water a metallic taste.

  Manganese, copper and iron can cause staining of your pipes, sink or clothes that are washed in the water. Manganese can cause black stains on your pipes, faucets, sinks and bathtub. Too much copper can leave stains on your clothes. Iron can stain your plumbing, sinks, bathtub and clothes with a rusty color.

  Too much calcium and magnesium can cause hard water. Hard water can make hinder the performance of soaps and detergents and can also cause a green mineral building in your sinks and bathtub.

Health Risks

• The minerals in groundwater are usually found in trace amounts which do not carry any inherent health risks. Some of these minerals can adversely impact your health if the levels in your water supply are too high.

  Arsenic is colorless, odorless and has no taste. It can enter the water supply naturally, or as the result of industrial processes or from nearby industrial or agricultural operations. If you ingest too much arsenic over a period of time, it can many health problems, including cancer.

  Nitrates are not harmful to adults, but can cause health problems and even death in infants less than six months old.

  Fluoride is essential to good dental health. In larger amounts over a period of time, it can lead to bone disease.

  The ingestion of lead can have devastating health effects on infants and children which can result in delayed physical or mental development.

  Uranium can cause kidney problems, and even cancer if ingested over a long period of time.

Health Benefits

• Differing viewpoints exist as to whether there are any health benefits derived from the minerals in your drinking water. Dr. Ron Kennedy of Santa Rosa, California has studied the mineral chemistry of living systems. From his research, he has concluded that your main source of minerals should be plants and not water.