Groundwater in Carson County contains radon, chloride, and fluoride. Several of these contaminants--arsenic, chloride, fluoride, iron, lead, manganese, and radon--exceed EPA health standards, which means well owners should test their water and consider treatment.
These contaminants come from the rock and soil layers beneath the county. The High Plains aquifer here sits on stone and sand that naturally hold these minerals and elements. As water moves slowly underground through these layers over many years, it dissolves and picks up arsenic, fluoride, radon, and metals like iron, lead, and manganese. Chloride also accumulates naturally in deeper groundwater in this region.
Groundwater in this county is very hard, driven by elevated calcium and magnesium from the rock below. These minerals dissolve into water as it passes through the aquifer's stone layers. Very hard water is the norm for wells across Carson County and the surrounding High Plains region.
Wells in Carson County commonly contain arsenic, chloride, fluoride, iron, lead, manganese, and radon at levels above EPA health standards. Arsenic can cause skin changes and increase cancer risk over time. Fluoride at elevated levels can affect bone health and tooth development in children. Lead harms children's brain development and learning. Manganese can affect the nervous system. Radon is a radioactive gas that increases lung cancer risk when breathed in over years.
The county's very hard water causes white scale buildup on fixtures and inside pipes. Soap and shampoo work less effectively, leaving residue on skin and hair. You may see spots on dishes and glassware after washing. Hard water also shortens the lifespan of water heaters, dishwashers, and other appliances.
We recommend testing your well water with a comprehensive metals and minerals panel, which typically costs between $200 and $400. 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 well so it can be properly treated. Water softeners, reverse osmosis systems, and radon mitigation can address 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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Radon | 7 | 14% | Low | Moderate ⓘ | |
| Chloride | 8 | 12% | Low | Moderate ⓘ | |
| Fluoride | 1936 | 1% | High | Low | |
| Arsenic | 904 | 1% | High | Low | |
| Iron | 909 | 1% | High | Low | |
| Lead | 899 | 1% | High | Low | |
| Manganese | 901 | 0% | High | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 2 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Nitrate | 31 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrite | 8 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 2 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 2 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 2 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 2 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 8 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Uranium | 35 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Total Coliform | 2* | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 8 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| pH | 8 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 2 | — | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 8 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| E. coli | 2* | 0% | 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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