Groundwater in Rutherford County contains arsenic, chloride, and fluoride. Contaminant levels here are low and do not exceed EPA health standards.
These contaminants come from the crystalline rock beneath the county. As water slowly moves through cracks and spaces in this rock over many years, small amounts of these minerals dissolve into the groundwater naturally.
Groundwater in this county is soft, with low levels of calcium and magnesium. The crystalline rock that supplies these wells does not contain large amounts of minerals that make water hard. Soft water with low mineral content is consistent across wells throughout the county.
Groundwater testing in Rutherford County has not found arsenic, chloride, or fluoride at levels that exceed EPA health standards. However, these contaminants show up in county wells at levels worth monitoring. Arsenic can damage the kidneys and nervous system over many years of exposure. Chloride and fluoride also pose health concerns when concentrations climb high enough, though current county levels remain below the thresholds that trigger mandatory action.
Wells in this county are quite soft, which is actually good news for your home. You won't deal with the stubborn scale buildup, staining, or appliance wear that plagues areas with hard water. Your water should feel smooth and won't leave crusty deposits on faucets or shower heads. Soft water does use soap more efficiently and won't shorten the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers.
Since arsenic, chloride, and fluoride are present in county groundwater, we recommend testing your well to find out what you're actually dealing with. Your well could have lower levels than average, or higher--testing is the only way to know for certain. A comprehensive metals and minerals panel typically costs $200 to $400 and will tell you exactly what needs treatment. Activated carbon filters or ion exchange systems can remove these contaminants if levels warrant it.
| Contaminant | Samples ⓘ | % Above MCL ⓘ | Distribution ⓘ | Confidence ⓘ | Risk ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arsenic | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Chloride | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Fluoride | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Iron | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Lead | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Manganese | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Nitrate | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Nitrite | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Radon | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 1 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Uranium | 1 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 1 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 8 | — | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| pH | 1 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 1 | — | 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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