Groundwater in Rowan County contains pfos, arsenic, and chloride. Pfos exceeds EPA health standards and deserves attention, while arsenic and chloride are present at levels below the health limit.
Pfos comes from human-made sources like industrial sites and firefighting foam, which can seep into groundwater over time. Arsenic occurs naturally in the crystalline rock beneath the county and dissolves slowly into water as it moves through cracks and spaces in the stone. Chloride also enters from natural rock and from road salt applied in winter months.
Groundwater in this county is soft with low iron, sodium, and sulfate. The crystalline rock here does not contain the minerals like calcium and magnesium that make water hard, and it releases very little iron into the water. Most wells across Rowan County show this same soft-water character.
PFOS is a human-made chemical found in wells across Rowan County. Exposure to PFOS over time has been linked to health concerns including liver damage, thyroid problems, and effects on the immune system. Arsenic and chloride are also present in county groundwater. Arsenic is a poison that builds up in your body over years of drinking it and can increase the risk of cancer and heart disease.
The good news is that Rowan County has soft groundwater, which means you are unlikely to see staining from iron buildup, scale deposits on fixtures, or the metallic taste and odor that come with high mineral content. Your appliances should not wear out prematurely from mineral deposits. Water quality for everyday use tends to be pleasant in this county.
Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your specific well, since every well is different and your water could have higher or lower levels than the county average. We recommend a comprehensive metals and contaminants panel to check for PFOS, arsenic, chloride, and other concerns, which typically costs between $200 and $400. Treatment options like activated carbon filters or reverse osmosis systems can remove these contaminants if testing shows they are present in your well.
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 | 15 | 27% | Moderate | High | |
| Arsenic | 2 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Chloride | 2 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Fluoride | 2 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 15 | 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 | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 15 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 15 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 15 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Radon | 2 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 2 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Uranium | 2 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 2 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 15 | — | Moderate | Safe | |
| pH | 2 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 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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