Groundwater in Union County contains radon, iron, and manganese at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Iron and manganese also exceed their limits, making these serious concerns for well owners in this area.
These contaminants come from the Valley and Ridge bedrock beneath the county. The fractured rock layers here naturally contain radioactive elements that break down and release radon gas into groundwater. Iron and manganese dissolve into the water as it moves slowly through the rock and sits in contact with minerals in the stone.
Groundwater in this county is soft, but it is high in iron, which is the most notable mineral characteristic. Iron dissolves naturally from the rock as water passes through fractured layers underground. Most wells in Union County show elevated iron levels, reflecting how widespread this mineral is in the local groundwater.
Wells in Union County commonly exceed EPA health standards for iron, manganese, nitrate, and radon. Iron and manganese at these levels can affect blood cell function and brain development over time. Nitrate poses serious risks to infants and young children. Radon is a radioactive gas that increases lung cancer risk when breathed in from water vapor during showers and everyday water use.
The mineral content in county wells creates visible problems in daily life. Iron causes orange-brown staining on sinks, toilets, and laundry. The water is relatively soft, so you won't see heavy white scale buildup, but you may notice a metallic taste or odor from the iron and manganese.
We recommend testing your well with a comprehensive metals and radon panel, since multiple analytes exceed health standards. Every well is different, and your water 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 well so it can be properly treated. A comprehensive panel typically costs $200-400. Treatment options like aeration systems and ion exchange filters can address multiple contaminants at once.
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 | 11 | 73% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Iron | 30 | 53% | Moderate | High | |
| Manganese | 30 | 7% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Nitrate | 40 | 2% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 4 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 31 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 31 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Arsenic | 32 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Chloride | 33 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Lead | 28 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 4 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 32 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Fluoride | 29 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 31 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Nitrite | 33 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Uranium | 18 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Hardness | 33 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Total Coliform | 6* | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 28 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| pH | 43 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 31 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| E. coli | 6* | 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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