Groundwater in Franklin County contains arsenic, chloride, fluoride, iron, lead, manganese, nitrate, radon, and uranium. Several of these contaminants exceed EPA health standards and deserve attention from well owners.
The carbonate rock beneath Franklin County naturally releases these metals as water passes through it. Radon comes from the decay of uranium in the bedrock itself. Arsenic, lead, manganese, and iron all dissolve from minerals in the limestone and other rocks underground. Nitrate and chloride typically come from surface sources like septic systems, road salt, and fertilizer that seep down into the water table.
Groundwater in this county is very hard, driven by high levels of calcium and magnesium leached from the limestone bedrock below. As water slowly moves through carbonate rock, it dissolves these minerals readily. Very hard water is the common condition across wells throughout Franklin County.
Wells in Franklin County are showing concerning levels of several contaminants. Arsenic, lead, uranium, and radon are known to cause serious health problems including cancer and organ damage with long-term exposure. Nitrate can harm infants and cause a condition called blue baby syndrome. Chloride and fluoride are also present at elevated levels in some county wells and need attention.
The very hard water in this county's wells creates real problems for your home. Hard water leaves white scale buildup on faucets and fixtures, stains on dishes and shower doors, and makes soap less effective. It can shorten the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers. You may notice a chalky taste or feel in your water.
We recommend a comprehensive water test right away because every well is different. Your well could have higher or lower levels than what is common in the county, and testing is the only way to know what you're actually dealing with. A full panel typically costs two hundred to four hundred dollars and will identify exactly what needs treatment. Depending on results, your well may need a water softener for hardness, and filtration or other systems to address specific contaminants.
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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manganese | 1078 | 20% | High | High | |
| Iron | 893 | 14% | High | Moderate | |
| Radon | 21 | 5% | Moderate |
Moderate
ⓘ
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Arsenic | 2019 | 3% | High | Low | |
| Lead | 3141 | 3% | High | Low | |
| Chloride | 1870 | 3% | High | Low | |
| Uranium | 1945 | 1% | High | Low | |
| Nitrate | 3063 | 1% | High | Low | |
| Fluoride | 2579 | 0% | High | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Nitrite | 3017 | 0% | High | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 702 | — | High | Low | |
| Sodium | 868 | — | High | Low | |
| pH | 950 | — | High | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 8 | — | 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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