Well Water in Cherokee County: What to Test and Why

Groundwater in Cherokee County contains manganese, arsenic, and chloride. Manganese is the only contaminant exceeding EPA health standards in this county, and it is present at levels high enough to be a concern.

These contaminants come from the rock itself. The carbonate rocks and other minerals in the Piedmont and Blue Ridge mountains naturally release manganese into groundwater over time. Arsenic and chloride also occur naturally in these rock formations and can dissolve into water as it moves through the ground.

Groundwater in this county is soft, with very low levels of calcium and magnesium, the minerals that make water hard. The carbonate rocks here do not contribute high amounts of hardness minerals to the water. Soft water is consistent across most wells in Cherokee County.

Manganese shows up at elevated levels in some wells in Cherokee County. Drinking water with too much manganese can affect how your brain and nervous system work, especially in children. This is a real concern, but testing will tell you if your well has a problem.

The good news is that wells in this county tend to have soft water and low amounts of minerals like sodium and sulfate. You probably won't see staining, scale buildup, or taste problems from mineral content. Your appliances should not wear out faster from water hardness here.

We recommend getting your well tested to find out what is actually in your water. Every well is different, and yours could have higher or lower levels than what is common in the county. A basic screening for bacteria and nitrate costs $50 to $100, while a more complete metals panel runs $200 to $400. If testing finds manganese, a filter system can remove it effectively.