Granville County well owners should know that radon, PFOS, and PFOA are present in some groundwater here, along with iron and nitrate at levels that exceed EPA health standards.
Radon enters groundwater naturally from radioactive minerals in the crystalline rock beneath the county. PFOS and PFOA are human-made chemicals that contaminate groundwater from industrial sites or past disposal areas. Iron dissolves from minerals in the rock as water passes through it slowly underground. Nitrate usually comes from fertilizer use or septic systems in areas where water can reach the water table.
Groundwater in this county is moderately hard, driven mainly by calcium and magnesium from the crystalline rock. The rock formation here releases these minerals slowly as water filters through cracks and breaks over time. Moderate hardness shows up across many wells in the county.
Wells in Granville County commonly exceed EPA health standards for iron, nitrate, PFOA, PFOS, and radon. Nitrate can harm infants and cause serious illness. Iron itself does not cause health problems, but it can carry other contaminants into your well. PFOA and PFOS are chemicals linked to health concerns with long-term exposure. Radon is a radioactive gas that increases lung cancer risk over time.
County wells are moderately hard, which means you may notice some scale buildup on fixtures and appliances or spots on dishes after washing. The iron levels here are low enough that staining is usually not a major problem. Hard water can shorten the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers over many years.
Every well in Granville County is different, and yours could have higher or lower levels than what is common here. Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your well so you can treat it properly. We recommend a comprehensive metals and minerals panel, which typically costs $200 to $400. Depending on your results, treatment options like radon venting systems, activated carbon filters, or nitrate removal can help.
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 ⓘ | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 8 | 50% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 8 | 38% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Iron | 14 | 21% | Low | High | |
| Nitrate | 14 | 7% | Low | Moderate | |
| Arsenic | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Chloride | 13 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| Fluoride | 14 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Lead | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Manganese | 14 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| Nitrite | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 14 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| Uranium | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 14 | — | Low | Low | |
| pH | 14 | — | Low | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 8 | — | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 14 | — | 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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