Well Water in White County: What to Test and Why

White County's groundwater contains arsenic, manganese, and nitrate at levels that exceed EPA health standards. These are contaminants that well owners should be aware of and test for.

These three contaminants come from the hard crystalline rock that makes up the Piedmont and Blue Ridge region. Arsenic and manganese occur naturally in the granite and metamorphic rock beneath the county. Nitrate enters groundwater through human activities on the land surface, such as septic systems and agricultural practices, and then travels down into the aquifer.

Groundwater in White County is soft with low iron, sodium, and sulfate content. The crystalline rock here does not dissolve easily to add minerals to the water. This soft-water character is common across most wells throughout the county.

Wells in White County commonly contain arsenic, manganese, and nitrate at levels above EPA health standards. Arsenic can cause cancer and damage to organs over time. Manganese affects the nervous system, especially in children and infants. Nitrate is particularly dangerous for babies under six months old and can interfere with oxygen in the blood.

The good news is that White County has soft water with very low iron, sodium, and sulfate. You should not see staining on fixtures, scale buildup in pipes, or problems with appliances wearing out early. Water taste and odor should not be affected by minerals in this county.

We recommend testing your well because every well is different and yours may have higher or lower levels than what is common here. Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your water so it can be treated properly. A comprehensive panel checking for metals and minerals runs between two hundred and four hundred dollars. Treatment options like ion exchange or activated carbon filters can address the specific contaminants found in your well.