Groundwater in Gilmer County contains radon, arsenic, and chloride. Radon exceeds EPA health standards, while arsenic and chloride are detected but at levels below the standards that trigger concern.
Radon enters the water naturally as it seeps through the granite and metamorphic rock beneath the county. These crystalline rocks contain tiny amounts of uranium that decay into radon gas, which dissolves into groundwater as it moves slowly through fractures in the rock. Arsenic and chloride also come from the rock itself--the minerals release these elements over time as water passes through.
The water in this county is soft, with low iron and low sulfate. The crystalline rock that feeds these wells does not contain the minerals that make water hard, so calcium and magnesium remain low. Most wells across Gilmer County show this same soft-water pattern.
Radon is a radioactive gas that exceeds health standards in wells across Gilmer County. Breathing radon gas over time can damage your lungs and increase cancer risk. Arsenic and chloride are also present in some county wells at levels worth attention, though radon is the main concern in this area. Testing is the best way to find out what is actually in your well.
Water in Gilmer County is soft, which is gentle on your pipes and appliances. Iron is present at moderate levels in some wells, which can create reddish or brownish staining on sinks, toilets, and laundry. The sodium and sulfate levels in county wells are low, so taste and odor problems from these minerals are uncommon.
We recommend a comprehensive water test to check for radon, arsenic, chloride, and iron since multiple contaminants are a concern in this area. Testing costs between two hundred and four hundred dollars and is the only way to know what your specific well contains so you can treat it properly. Radon can be removed with aeration or carbon filters, and iron can be treated with oxidation or filtration systems.
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 | 1 | 100% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Nitrite | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Fluoride | 4 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 3 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 3 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 3 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Chloride | 4 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Iron | 2 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Arsenic | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Uranium | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 4 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 3 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 3 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 3 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 3 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Nitrite | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Nitrate | 4 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Manganese | 2 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Lead | 2 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Iron | 2 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 3 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Fluoride | 4 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Chloride | 4 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Arsenic | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 4 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 3 | — | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| pH | 4 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 4 | — | 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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