Groundwater in Watauga County contains radon, iron, and manganese at levels that exceed EPA health standards. These contaminants are present at concerning concentrations that well owners need to address.
Radon seeps into groundwater from natural radioactive decay in the rock beneath the county. Iron and manganese dissolve from the bedrock as water moves slowly through cracks and fractures in the Valley and Ridge formations. This geology is rich in metals that readily mix into water over time.
Groundwater in this county is soft, with low calcium and magnesium, but elevated radon is the defining characteristic of water from these formations. Radon comes from radioactive elements naturally present in the local rock. Wells throughout Watauga County commonly show radon at elevated levels due to the underlying geology.
Wells in Watauga County contain iron, manganese, and radon at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Radon is a radioactive gas that enters groundwater from rock and soil. Breathing radon can damage your lungs and increase cancer risk. Iron and manganese at elevated levels can harm your brain and organs, especially in children and babies.
The good news is that wells in this county are soft, so you will not see the heavy staining, scale buildup, or shortened appliance lifespan that harder water causes. Your water should not taste metallic or have strong odors from minerals.
Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your well, since every well is different and yours could have higher or lower levels than what is common here. We recommend a comprehensive metals and minerals panel that tests for all these concerns, which costs between $200 and $400. Treatment options like activated carbon filters and radon ventilation systems can address these contaminants once you know what you are dealing with.
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 | 3 | 33% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Manganese | 5 | 20% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Iron | 5 | 20% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Arsenic | 5 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Chloride | 5 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Fluoride | 5 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 11 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| Lead | 5 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Nitrate | 5 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Nitrite | 5 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 11 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 11 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 11 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 11 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| Sulfate | 5 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Uranium | 5 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 5 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 11 | — | Low | Safe | |
| pH | 5 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 5 | — | 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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