Iron, manganese, and radon are present in Buncombe County groundwater and well owners should be aware of them. Iron and manganese exceed EPA health standards in this county's water.
These contaminants come from the crystalline rock beneath the county. As water moves through the bedrock, it dissolves iron and manganese naturally present in the rock minerals. Radon is a radioactive gas that seeps from the same rock into groundwater.
Groundwater in this county is soft, with very low iron, sodium, and hardness levels. The water character is driven by low mineral content overall, reflecting how the crystalline bedrock releases few dissolved solids. Most wells in Buncombe County show this soft-water pattern.
Wells in Buncombe County commonly contain iron, manganese, and radon at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Manganese can affect the brain and nervous system, especially in children and infants. Radon is a radioactive gas that increases the risk of lung cancer over time. Iron itself is not a health hazard, but it often travels with other contaminants in county groundwater.
The mineral content in wells here is generally soft, which is good news for scale buildup and appliance wear. However, iron can stain laundry, plumbing fixtures, and bathtubs with orange or brown marks. You may notice a metallic or bitter taste in your water. Some wells also produce water with a rotten egg smell from hydrogen sulfide gas.
We recommend a comprehensive testing panel to check for all three contaminants--iron, manganese, and radon--since your well may differ from the county average. Testing costs between two hundred and four hundred dollars and is the only way to know what actually needs treatment. If elevated levels are found, aeration systems can remove radon, and filtration or chemical treatment can address iron and manganese.
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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iron | 38 | 13% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Radon | 14 | 7% | Low | Moderate ⓘ | |
| Manganese | 38 | 5% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Arsenic | 38 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Chloride | 38 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Fluoride | 38 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 24 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Lead | 18 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrate | 37 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrite | 37 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 24 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 24 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 24 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 24 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Sulfate | 38 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Uranium | 18 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 24 | — | Moderate | Safe | |
| Hardness | 38 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Sodium | 38 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| pH | 38 | — | Moderate | 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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