Groundwater in Carbon County contains several contaminants that well owners should be aware of: PFNA, radon, manganese, PFOA, PFOS, arsenic, sulfate, iron, PFHXS, and nitrate. Several of these contaminants exceed EPA health standards and warrant attention.
These contaminants come from different sources. Radon, manganese, iron, and arsenic occur naturally in the carbonate rock beneath the county. As groundwater moves slowly through cracks in the limestone, it dissolves these elements from the rock. PFNA, PFOA, PFOS, and PFHXS are industrial chemicals that have entered groundwater from human activities. Nitrate and sulfate can enter from agricultural land use and soil contact.
Groundwater in this county is soft, with moderate iron levels being the main aesthetic concern. Iron dissolves naturally from minerals in the carbonate bedrock as water moves through fractures. These mineral characteristics are common across wells in Carbon County, though individual wells vary widely in what they contain.
Wells in Carbon County commonly contain PFNA, PFOA, PFOS, PFHXS, arsenic, radon, nitrate, and manganese at levels above EPA health standards. PFOA and related chemicals increase cancer risk and can harm the liver and immune system with long-term exposure. Arsenic raises cancer risk and can damage organs over many years. Radon is a radioactive gas that increases lung cancer risk when breathed in from water vapor. Nitrate is especially dangerous for infants and can affect how blood carries oxygen.
The mineral content in county wells includes moderate iron and manganese, which cause orange and brown staining on sinks, toilets, and laundry. These minerals can give water a metallic taste and create dark discoloration on fixtures and clothing. The good news is that wells in this county have soft water, so you won't see heavy white scale buildup like in areas with harder water.
We recommend testing your well with a comprehensive metals and minerals panel because multiple analytes exceed health standards. Every well is different, and your well may have higher or lower levels than what is common in the county. Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your water so it can be properly treated. A comprehensive panel typically costs $200-400 and can identify which contaminants need attention. Treatment options like aeration systems and activated carbon filters can address several of these concerns.
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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 12 | 17% | Low | High | |
| Radon | 6 | 17% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Manganese | 37 | 16% | Moderate | High | |
| Iron | 36 | 14% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 192 | 11% | High | Moderate | |
| Sulfate | 38 | 11% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 192 | 9% | High | Moderate | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 12 | 8% | Low | Moderate | |
| Nitrate | 33 | 3% | Moderate |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Arsenic | 33 | 3% | Moderate |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Chloride | 33 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Fluoride | 32 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 153 | 0% | High | Safe | |
| Lead | 33 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrite | 31 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Uranium | 19 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Total Coliform | 1* | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 37 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| pH | 46 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 153 | — | High | Low | |
| Hardness | 37 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| E. coli | 1* | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ |
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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