Groundwater in Gaston County contains manganese, PFOA, and arsenic. Manganese and PFOA exceed EPA health standards, which means well owners should be aware of these contaminants and consider testing.
Manganese comes from the crystalline bedrock underneath the county--it naturally dissolves into groundwater as water moves through cracks and spaces in the rock. PFOA is a human-made chemical from industrial and commercial uses that has contaminated groundwater in this region. Arsenic also occurs naturally in the rock and enters water as it flows underground.
Groundwater in this county is soft with low levels of iron, sodium, and sulfate. The crystalline rock here does not contain the minerals that make water hard, so calcium and magnesium remain low. Most wells in Gaston County show this soft water character, though individual wells can vary based on their depth and local rock type.
Wells in Gaston County contain manganese and PFOA at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Manganese can affect the nervous system, especially in children and infants, when consumed over time. PFOA is a human-made chemical that builds up in your body and has been linked to health concerns including liver damage and immune system effects. Arsenic is also present in county groundwater and can damage kidneys and increase cancer risk with long-term exposure.
The good news is that Gaston County's groundwater is soft with low levels of iron, sodium, and sulfate. You will not experience staining, scale buildup, or taste and odor problems from minerals in your water. Your appliances should not experience shortened lifespan from mineral deposits.
Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your well, since every well is different and your water may have higher or lower levels than what is common in the county. We recommend a comprehensive metals and contaminants panel, which typically costs between two hundred and four hundred dollars. Activated carbon filters and reverse osmosis systems can help remove PFOA and manganese from your drinking water.
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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manganese | 6 | 17% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 36 | 11% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Arsenic | 2 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Chloride | 6 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Fluoride | 6 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 36 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Iron | 6 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Lead | 2 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Nitrate | 7 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Nitrite | 5 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 36 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 36 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 36 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Radon | 2 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 6 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Uranium | 2 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 6 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| pH | 7 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 36 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Hardness | 6 | — | 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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