Well Water in Florence County: What to Test and Why

Groundwater in Florence County contains radon, PFOA, and PFOS. PFOA and PFOS exceed EPA health standards, as does radon, which is a significant health concern at these levels.

PFOA and PFOS come from human activities--they were used in manufacturing and are now persistent contaminants that don't break down easily in the environment. Radon is a natural radioactive gas that forms deep underground from the decay of uranium in the rock and enters groundwater as it moves through cracks and spaces in the aquifer.

Groundwater in Florence County is moderately hard, driven by calcium and magnesium from the local rock. The other rocks aquifer here naturally contains these minerals, which dissolve slowly as water moves through the formation. Moderate hardness is common across wells in this county.

Wells in Florence County commonly contain PFOA, PFOS, and radon at levels that exceed EPA health standards. PFOA and PFOS are chemicals that build up in your body over time and can affect your liver, thyroid, and immune system. Radon is a radioactive gas that enters water from natural decay in the rock. Breathing radon from tap water increases your risk of lung cancer, especially with long-term exposure.

Wells in this county have moderately hard water, which means you may see some scale buildup on faucets and fixtures. Hard water can shorten the lifespan of appliances like water heaters and dishwashers. You might notice reduced suds from soap and slightly dull laundry. The sodium and sulfate levels are low, so these minerals are not a concern.

We recommend testing your well to find out what you actually have. Every well is different, and your water may have higher or lower levels than what is common here. Because multiple contaminants exceed standards, a comprehensive metals and minerals panel runs about $200-400. Testing is the only way to know what needs treatment, and aeration systems or activated carbon filters can help remove radon and PFOA/PFOS.