Groundwater in Cabarrus County contains pfos, radon, and arsenic. Both pfos and radon exceed EPA health standards in wells where they are found, making these contaminants a concern for your well's water quality.
Pfos comes from human-made sources like industrial sites and fire-fighting foam used at airports and military bases. Radon is released naturally as radioactive elements in the crystalline rock break down over time. Arsenic occurs naturally in the rock layers beneath the county.
Groundwater in this county is very hard, driven by calcium and magnesium dissolved from the crystalline rock as water moves slowly through cracks and fractures underground. This very hard water character is common across wells throughout the county.
Wells in Cabarrus County exceed EPA health standards for PFOS and radon. PFOS is a human-made chemical that builds up in your body over time and can harm your immune system, thyroid, and liver. Radon is a radioactive gas that enters groundwater from natural rock decay and increases your risk of lung cancer when you breathe it in. Arsenic is also present in county wells at concerning levels and can damage your kidneys and increase cancer risk with long-term exposure.
County well water is very hard, which means scale builds up inside pipes, water heaters, and dishwashers, shortening their lifespan. Hard water leaves spots on dishes and fixtures and makes soap less effective. Moderate iron levels can stain laundry, sinks, and tubs with orange or brown marks. You may notice a metallic taste or smell in the water.
Your well is unique, and contamination levels vary from one property to another. Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your water so you can treat it properly. We recommend a comprehensive metals and minerals panel that costs $200 to $400 and includes all these contaminants. Treatment options like activated carbon filters and radon removal systems can address these concerns once testing shows what you're dealing with.
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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 36 | 56% | Moderate | High | |
| Radon | 2 | 50% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Arsenic | 2 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Chloride | 2 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Fluoride | 2 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 36 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Iron | 2 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Lead | 2 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Manganese | 2 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Nitrate | 2 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Nitrite | 2 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 36 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 36 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 36 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Sulfate | 2 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Uranium | 2 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 2 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| pH | 2 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 36 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Hardness | 2 | — | 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.
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