Well Water in Buncombe County: What to Test and Why

Groundwater in Buncombe County contains arsenic, radon, manganese, and chloride at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Well owners need to test their water and take these contaminants seriously.

These contaminants come from the rock beneath the county. Arsenic and manganese occur naturally in the crystalline bedrock that makes up the Piedmont and Blue Ridge mountains. Radon seeps into groundwater from uranium decay in this same ancient rock. Chloride can come from road salt and natural mineral deposits in the bedrock. As water moves through cracks and fractures in the rock, it picks up these substances.

Groundwater in Buncombe County is soft and low in iron, sodium, and sulfate. The crystalline rock that supplies the county's wells does not contain abundant calcium and magnesium the way limestone does, so the water stays soft. These low mineral levels are consistent across most wells in the county.

Wells in Buncombe County show arsenic, chloride, manganese, and radon at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Arsenic can damage your kidneys and increase cancer risk with long-term exposure. Radon is a radioactive gas that builds up in your lungs and raises lung cancer risk. Manganese at high levels can harm your nervous system and brain development in children. Chloride at elevated levels can affect people with heart or kidney problems.

The good news is that Buncombe County wells generally have soft water with low iron and sodium, so you probably won't see staining, scale buildup, or salty taste in your water. Your appliances should not wear out faster from mineral deposits. Water quality here is mostly about contaminant levels rather than hardness problems.

We recommend testing your well for a comprehensive panel that covers arsenic, radon, manganese, and chloride. Every well is different--yours could have higher or lower levels than what is common across the county. Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your water so you can treat it properly. A comprehensive metals and minerals panel typically costs between $200 and $400. Treatment options like activated carbon filters or radon removal systems can address these concerns once you know your specific levels.