Well Water in Guilford County: What to Test and Why

Groundwater in Guilford County contains PFOS, PFOA, PFHXS, radon, manganese, chloride, and sulfate at levels that exceed EPA health standards. These contaminants are present at concerning concentrations that well owners should monitor and address.

PFOS, PFOA, and PFHXAS come from industrial use and firefighting foam applied at airports, military sites, and other facilities across the region. Radon occurs naturally in the crystalline rocks beneath the county and seeps into groundwater over time. Manganese, chloride, and sulfate also arise from the breakdown of minerals in the bedrock as water moves through underground fractures and cracks.

Groundwater in this county is soft with moderate iron. Iron comes from the crystalline rocks that make up the aquifer in the Piedmont and Blue Ridge areas. These characteristics appear across many wells throughout the county, though the levels and presence of each mineral vary from well to well.

Wells in Guilford County show several contaminants above EPA health standards. Chloride, manganese, PFHXS, PFOA, and PFOS are found at concerning levels in county well water. Radon and sulfate also exceed safety limits in some wells. These chemicals can affect your health over time, especially for children, pregnant women, and people with certain health conditions. Radon is a radioactive gas that increases lung cancer risk. PFOA and PFOS are "forever chemicals" that build up in your body and can harm your immune system and liver.

The mineral content in Guilford County wells is actually quite balanced. Your well water is unlikely to leave heavy staining or scale buildup on fixtures and appliances. Iron levels in county wells are moderate, so you may see some orange or brown discoloration occasionally, but hard water problems are not common here. The water should taste normal without strong salty or bitter flavors from minerals.

We recommend testing your well to know exactly what is in your water. Since multiple contaminants exceed EPA standards in this county, a comprehensive panel testing for metals, minerals, bacteria, and contaminants is the right choice. Every well is different, and your water could have higher or lower levels than what is common countywide. Testing costs between two hundred and four hundred dollars and is the only way to know what treatment your well actually needs. Radon removal systems and advanced filtration can address many of these concerns.