Well Water in Polk County: What to Test and Why

Groundwater in Polk County contains radon, manganese, and arsenic. Manganese and radon exceed EPA health standards in this county, so these are the contaminants well owners should monitor.

These contaminants come from the bedrock itself. The crystalline rock that makes up the Piedmont and Blue Ridge contains natural minerals and uranium that break down over time, releasing manganese, arsenic, and radon into the groundwater. This is a natural process tied to the rock type in this region.

Groundwater in this county is soft, with very low levels of iron, sodium, and hardness minerals. The crystalline rock here does not dissolve easily to add those minerals to the water the way softer rock types do. Soft water with low mineral content is the common condition across wells in Polk County.

Wells in Polk County sometimes contain elevated levels of manganese and radon. Manganese at high levels can affect the nervous system, especially in children, and may cause learning and behavior problems with long-term exposure. Radon is a radioactive gas that increases the risk of lung cancer when breathed in over many years.

The good news is that Polk County wells tend to have soft water with low iron, sodium, and sulfate. This means you probably won't see orange staining, mineral buildup in pipes, salty taste, or rotten egg odors. Your water heater and dishwasher should last a normal amount of time.

We recommend testing your well water to find out what is actually in it, since every well is different and yours could have higher or lower levels than the county average. A comprehensive metals and minerals panel costs between $200 and $400 and will tell you exactly what you are dealing with. If manganese or radon show up in your results, treatment options like special filters or ventilation systems can remove them.