Groundwater in Catawba County contains radon, manganese, chloride, and PFOA at levels that exceed EPA health standards. These contaminants are present at concerning levels and warrant attention from well owners.
Radon comes from natural radioactive decay in the crystalline rock beneath the county. Manganese dissolves from the same rock into groundwater where oxygen is low. Chloride and PFOA enter groundwater from road salt, industrial activity, and other human sources on the land surface. The crystalline bedrock here does not filter out these contaminants as effectively as other rock types do.
Groundwater in this county is soft with moderate iron as the main mineral character. Iron leaches from the crystalline rock when water is slightly acidic and oxygen-poor underground. These mineral characteristics show up in wells throughout the county at similar levels.
Wells in Catawba County show elevated levels of chloride, manganese, PFOA, and radon compared to EPA health standards. Chloride at high levels can be a concern for people with certain heart or kidney conditions. Manganese can affect the nervous system, especially in children and infants, with long-term exposure. Radon is a radioactive gas that increases lung cancer risk when breathed in over time. PFOA is a chemical linked to health effects including liver damage and immune system changes.
The minerals in county wells create some quality-of-life issues. Iron can stain laundry, fixtures, and dishes with reddish-brown marks. It can also give water a metallic taste. The good news is that wells here are generally soft, so you probably won't deal with the scale buildup and shortened appliance lifespan that comes with very hard water.
We recommend testing your well to know exactly what is in your water, since every well is different and yours could have higher or lower levels than the county average. A comprehensive panel that checks for metals, minerals, bacteria, and chemicals runs between two hundred and four hundred dollars and is the only way to understand what treatment your well actually needs. Treatment options like activated carbon filters, radon removal systems, or ion exchange can address these specific concerns once you know what you are dealing with.
| 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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