Radon, arsenic, and chloride are present in groundwater in this county. Radon levels exceed EPA health standards and warrant attention, while arsenic and chloride are detected at lower concentrations.
Radon comes from the crystalline rock beneath the county--it is a radioactive gas released naturally as the rock breaks down over time. Arsenic also occurs naturally in the rock and enters groundwater as water flows through cracks and fractures. Chloride can come from road salt or natural sources in the rock, but levels here remain low.
Groundwater in this county is soft, driven by low levels of calcium and magnesium in the crystalline rock. The hard rock that forms the aquifer does not dissolve easily, so minerals do not accumulate in high amounts. Soft water is the common character across wells in the county.
Radon is a radioactive gas that comes from the ground and can enter well water. Breathing air that contains radon gas raises the risk of lung cancer over time. Wells in this county show radon at levels above EPA health standards. Arsenic and chloride are also present in some county wells and warrant attention, though radon is the primary concern here.
The good news is that wells in Transylvania County are soft, which means you won't see the staining, scale buildup, or taste problems that come with hard water. Your appliances and plumbing should not experience the wear and tear that affects homes in areas with mineral-heavy water. Your water should feel and taste normal from a mineral perspective.
Every well is different, and your well may have higher or lower levels of radon, arsenic, and chloride than what is common across the county. Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your water so you can treat it properly. We recommend a comprehensive testing panel that checks for radon, arsenic, chloride, and bacteria, which typically costs between $200 and $400. Radon can be removed with aeration systems, and arsenic can be treated with activated carbon or ion exchange filters.
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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Radon | 1 | 100% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Arsenic | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Chloride | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Fluoride | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 18 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Iron | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Lead | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Manganese | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Nitrate | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Nitrite | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 18 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 18 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 18 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 18 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Sulfate | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Uranium | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 1 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 18 | — | Moderate | Safe | |
| pH | 1 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 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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