Well Water in Wilkes County: What to Test and Why

Wilkes County groundwater contains manganese, lead, and arsenic. Manganese and lead are found at levels high enough to exceed EPA health standards, so well owners should test their water and consider treatment.

These metals come from the crystalline rock that makes up the bedrock beneath the county. As groundwater slowly moves through cracks and spaces in this rock, it dissolves manganese and can pick up lead from mineral deposits. Arsenic also occurs naturally in some of these rocks. Private wells drilled directly into this bedrock are more likely to encounter these contaminants than wells in other parts of the state.

Groundwater in this county is soft, with only moderate levels of iron as the notable mineral. Iron occurs naturally in the crystalline rock here and leaches into water as it passes through. Soft water and moderate iron are common across wells in Wilkes County.

Wilkes County well water sometimes contains lead and manganese at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Lead can damage the brain and kidneys, especially in children, and even small amounts of exposure over time cause harm. Manganese is another concern in this county's wells because too much of it can affect the nervous system and learning ability.

The good news is that wells in this county tend to have soft water and low sodium, which means you probably won't see orange staining, scale buildup, or salty taste from minerals. Iron is present at moderate levels, so some wells might show a little rust-colored staining on fixtures or laundry, but this varies from well to well.

We recommend testing your well water to find out exactly what is in it, since every well is different and yours could have higher or lower levels than what is common in the county. Because lead and manganese both exceed standards here, a comprehensive metals and minerals panel is recommended, which typically costs between $200 and $400. Treatment options like activated carbon filters or ion exchange systems can help reduce these metals if testing shows they are present in your water.