Groundwater in Catawba County contains pfoa, arsenic, and chloride. Of these, pfoa is present at levels that exceed EPA health standards and deserves attention.
Pfoa is a human-made chemical that has entered groundwater through industrial and commercial use and disposal. Arsenic occurs naturally in the crystalline rock that underlies this county and is released into water as it moves through cracks and fractures. Chloride, often from road salt, accumulates in groundwater in areas with road use and de-icing practices.
Groundwater in this county is soft, with low levels of calcium and magnesium. The crystalline rock here does not dissolve easily into water the way limestone does, so minerals remain scarce. These soft-water conditions are typical across wells in Catawba County.
Wells in Catawba County contain PFOA, a human-made chemical that can build up in your body over time and harm your health. PFOA exposure has been linked to kidney and liver problems, thyroid disease, and other serious health concerns. Arsenic is also found in some county wells and can damage organs and increase cancer risk with long-term exposure. Because multiple contaminants are present in this county, testing is the only way to know what is actually in your well.
The good news is that wells in Catawba County are soft, which means you probably won't see staining, scale buildup, or taste problems from minerals. Your appliances like water heaters and dishwashers should not wear out faster than normal. The mineral levels in county wells are low and gentle on your plumbing and everyday water use.
We recommend getting your well tested with a comprehensive metals and chemicals panel, since multiple health concerns are present in the county. Your well may have higher or lower levels than what is common here, and testing is the only way to know what needs treatment. A comprehensive panel typically costs between two hundred and four hundred dollars. If testing finds PFOA or arsenic, activated carbon filters or ion exchange systems can help remove these contaminants from your water.
| Contaminant | Samples ⓘ | % Above MCL ⓘ | Distribution ⓘ | Confidence ⓘ | Risk ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 37 | 3% | Moderate | Low | |
| Arsenic | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Chloride | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Fluoride | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 37 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Iron | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Lead | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Manganese | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Nitrate | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Nitrite | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 37 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 37 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 37 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Radon | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Uranium | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 1 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| pH | 1 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 37 | — | Moderate | Safe | |
| Hardness | 1 | — | 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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