Well Water in Rowan County: What to Test and Why

Groundwater in Rowan County contains arsenic, pfos, radon, and chloride at levels that exceed EPA health standards. These contaminants are present at concerning levels and warrant attention from well owners.

Arsenic occurs naturally in the crystalline rock that makes up this region's aquifer, released slowly into groundwater as water passes through the minerals. Radon is a radioactive gas produced by the decay of uranium in the same bedrock. PFOS and elevated chloride likely come from human activities like industrial sites, firefighting foam use, or road salt application, concentrating in groundwater over time.

Groundwater in this county is soft, driven by low levels of calcium and magnesium from the hard crystalline rock beneath the surface. The acidic nature of water moving through granite and similar rock means minerals dissolve slowly, keeping the water chemically simple. These soft-water characteristics are common across wells throughout the county.

Wells in Rowan County have been found to contain arsenic, chloride, PFOS, and radon at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Arsenic is a poison that builds up in your body over time and increases the risk of cancer and heart problems. PFOS are chemicals that don't break down in the environment or your body and can affect your immune system and liver. Radon is a radioactive gas that comes from rocks underground and can damage your lungs if you breathe it in over many years.

The good news is that the minerals in county wells are not a major concern. Your water is soft, which means you probably won't see much staining from iron or scale buildup in your pipes and appliances. Your water should taste fine and not have unusual odors from minerals.

We recommend testing your well to find out what is actually 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, bacteria, and chemicals costs between two hundred and four hundred dollars and is the only way to know for sure what you are dealing with. If testing finds problems, water filters or treatment systems can remove arsenic and PFOS, and ventilation can reduce radon exposure.