Groundwater in Alpine County contains radon, arsenic, and manganese at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Well owners need to be aware that these contaminants are present at concerning levels in this area.
Alpine County sits in a mountainous region with rock types that naturally contain radioactive elements and metals. Radon seeps from uranium in the bedrock, while arsenic and manganese dissolve into groundwater as it moves slowly through certain rock layers. These metals occur naturally in the geology here rather than from human activity or pollution.
Groundwater in this county is moderately hard, driven by calcium and magnesium from the local rock. The mountains and varied rock types here release these minerals as water percolates through. Hardness at moderate levels is widespread across wells in Alpine County, while iron and sulfur levels stay low throughout the area.
Wells in Alpine County have been found to exceed EPA health standards for arsenic, manganese, and radon. Arsenic exposure over time can increase the risk of cancer and cause damage to your nervous system and skin. Manganese at high levels can affect your brain and nervous system development. Radon is a radioactive gas that enters water from rocks and soil, and breathing radon gas released from water increases your risk of lung cancer.
The good news is that mineral levels in county wells are generally low, so you probably won't see heavy staining, scale buildup, or taste problems from minerals. Your water is moderately hard, which means you might notice some scale in kettles or on faucets, but it's not severe enough to damage most household appliances.
Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your well, since every well is different and yours could have higher or lower levels than what is common here. We recommend getting a comprehensive test panel that checks for arsenic, manganese, radon, and other contaminants. A comprehensive metals and minerals panel typically costs between $200 and $400. Depending on your results, treatment options like activated carbon filters or aeration systems can remove these contaminants from your water.
Not sure if your well is affected? Get certified results in 5–7 days.
Test Your Well Water with Tap Score →| Contaminant | Samples ⓘ | % Above MCL ⓘ | Distribution ⓘ | Confidence ⓘ | Risk ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Radon | 2 | 100% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Manganese | 4 | 25% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Arsenic | 4 | 25% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 3 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Iron | 4 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 3 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 4 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 3 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Fluoride | 4 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Nitrite | 4 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Uranium | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Chloride | 5 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 3 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Lead | 4 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Nitrate | 4 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 3 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 4 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 4 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| pH | 5 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 3 | — | Low | Safe ⓘ |
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.
Data shows potential risk — a certified test confirms whether your water is affected.
Order a Tap Score Test →Population-level CDC data. Not individual risk prediction.
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