Well Water in Nash County: What to Test and Why

Groundwater in Nash County contains radon, PFOS, and PFOA, which are contaminants that well owners should monitor. Several contaminants including arsenic, iron, lead, and the industrial chemicals PFHXS, PFOA, and PFOS are found at levels that exceed EPA health standards, and radon is also detected above safe limits.

These contaminants come from different sources. Radon seeps into groundwater naturally from radioactive elements in the rock and soil beneath the county. PFOS and PFOA are industrial chemicals that have contaminated water supplies across the region, likely from past manufacturing or firefighting activities. Arsenic and lead occur naturally in the underground layers here and can dissolve into water as it flows through the rock and sediment.

Groundwater in Nash County is soft and notable mainly for elevated iron. Iron dissolves naturally from the sediments and rocks that make up the Northern Atlantic Coastal Plain aquifer system in this area. Iron elevation is found in many wells across the county, though levels and presence vary from well to well.

Wells in Nash County can have arsenic, lead, iron, radon, and PFAS chemicals like PFOA and PFOS at levels above EPA health standards. Arsenic builds up in your body over time and increases cancer risk. Lead harms children's brain development and learning, and can damage kidneys and the nervous system in anyone. Radon is a radioactive gas that causes lung cancer when you breathe it in over years. PFAS chemicals can affect your immune system, liver, and cholesterol levels.

The high iron in county wells stains plumbing fixtures, laundry, and dishes with orange or brown marks that are hard to remove. Iron can also make water taste metallic or leave a bad smell. Because the water is soft, you won't deal with the scale buildup that hard water causes, so your water heater and appliances should last longer than in counties with harder water.

We recommend testing your well with a comprehensive panel to find out exactly what is in your water, since every well is different and yours could have much higher or lower levels than the county average. Testing is the only way to know what needs treatment. A comprehensive metals and PFAS panel typically costs $200 to $400. Depending on what testing shows, treatment options like activated carbon filters or ion exchange systems can remove many of these contaminants.