Manganese and radon are the main contaminants you need to know about in Mecklenburg County wells. Both exceed EPA health standards and warrant your attention.
Manganese and radon come straight from the crystalline rock beneath your county. As groundwater flows slowly through cracks and fractures in this hard rock, it dissolves manganese from minerals in the stone. Radon seeps in from naturally radioactive elements within that same rock. This is simply the geology you live on.
Groundwater in this county is moderately hard, driven by calcium and magnesium from the crystalline rock. The rock breaks down over time and releases these minerals into the water as it percolates through. Most wells in this area show moderate hardness from this natural process.
Manganese and radon are the two main concerns in Mecklenburg County wells that exceed EPA health standards. Manganese at elevated levels can harm your nervous system and affect how your brain and body communicate. Radon is a radioactive gas that enters groundwater from rock deep underground and increases your risk of lung cancer when you breathe it in over time.
Wells in this county have moderately hard water, which means you may notice mineral buildup on faucets and fixtures or scale inside pipes and appliances. Hard water can shorten the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers. Your water quality is otherwise good in terms of minerals like iron and sodium, so you should not experience staining or metallic taste from those sources.
We recommend a comprehensive water test that checks for metals and radon, since multiple concerns are present in county wells. Your well is unique and could have higher or lower levels than what is common here. Testing is the only way to know exactly what is in your water so it can be properly treated. A comprehensive panel typically costs between $200 and $400 and may reveal treatment options like radon aeration systems or manganese removal filters.
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 | 5 | 20% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Manganese | 5 | 20% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 4 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 4 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 4 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 6 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Nitrate | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Nitrite | 3 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 4 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Uranium | 5 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Fluoride | 6 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Chloride | 6 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 4 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Arsenic | 5 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Iron | 5 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Lead | 5 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 5 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 4 | — | 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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