Groundwater in Burke County contains radon, manganese, and arsenic. Radon and manganese exceed EPA health standards and warrant attention, while arsenic is also present in the water supply.
Manganese and radon come directly from the crystalline rock beneath Burke County. As water moves slowly through cracks and spaces in this rock, it dissolves manganese and radon leaches out from naturally radioactive elements in the stone. Arsenic is also released from the rock as groundwater passes through it over time.
Groundwater in this county is soft with very low iron, sodium, and sulfate. The crystalline bedrock here releases minimal minerals into the water as it flows through. These soft-water characteristics are consistent across most wells in Burke County.
Wells in Burke County commonly contain manganese and radon at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Manganese can affect the brain and nervous system, especially in children and infants. Radon is a radioactive gas that increases the risk of lung cancer when breathed in over time. Arsenic is also found in some county wells and can damage organs with long-term exposure.
The good news is that Burke County's groundwater is soft and low in minerals like iron, sodium, and sulfate. This means you will not see orange staining on fixtures, scale buildup in pipes, or shortened appliance lifespans from mineral deposits. Your water should taste clean without salty or metallic flavors.
Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your well, since every well is different and yours may have higher or lower levels than what is common in the county. We recommend a comprehensive metals and radon panel, which typically costs between $200 and $400. If testing shows elevated levels, treatment options like activated carbon filters and radon ventilation systems can help reduce these contaminants.
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 | 50% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Manganese | 4 | 25% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Arsenic | 4 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Chloride | 4 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Fluoride | 4 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 23 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Iron | 4 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Lead | 4 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Nitrate | 4 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Nitrite | 4 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 23 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 23 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 23 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 23 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Sulfate | 4 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Uranium | 2 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 4 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| pH | 4 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 23 | — | Moderate | Safe | |
| Hardness | 4 | — | Low | Low ⓘ |
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.
Loading recent water news…