Groundwater in Stanly County contains radon, arsenic, manganese, and PFOS--all at levels that exceed EPA health standards. These contaminant levels are concerning enough to warrant testing and awareness.
The rock beneath Stanly County naturally contains radioactive minerals that release radon as they decay. Arsenic occurs naturally in the crystalline rock here. PFOS and manganese come from both natural sources in the bedrock and from industrial or land-use activities in the area. Water moving slowly through cracks in the rock dissolves these elements over time.
Groundwater in this county is hard, driven by calcium and magnesium from the crystalline rock below. The acidic nature of water moving through this type of rock dissolves these minerals and concentrates them in the water. Hard water is a common trait across wells in Stanly County.
Wells in Stanly County commonly contain arsenic, manganese, PFOS, and radon at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Arsenic builds up in your body over time and can cause serious health problems. Manganese at elevated levels can harm your brain and nervous system, especially in children. PFOS is a human-made chemical that accumulates in blood and has been linked to health effects. Radon is a radioactive gas that forms naturally underground and increases lung cancer risk when you breathe it in over time.
The county's well water is quite hard, which means you may notice scale buildup on faucets and inside pipes. Hard water can reduce the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers. You might see white or chalky deposits on fixtures and appliances. The hardness won't affect how the water tastes, but it does make soap less effective for cleaning.
We recommend testing your well because every well is different and yours could have higher or lower levels than what is common here. Testing is the only way to know exactly what is in your water so you can treat it properly. A comprehensive metals and chemicals panel typically costs between $200 and $400 and would check for all these concerns. Depending on test results, treatments like activated carbon filters and water softeners can help address these issues.
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 | 3 | 67% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 20 | 35% | Moderate | High | |
| Manganese | 3 | 33% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Arsenic | 3 | 33% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Chloride | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Fluoride | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 20 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Iron | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Lead | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Nitrate | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Nitrite | 3 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 20 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 20 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 20 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Sulfate | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Uranium | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 3 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 20 | — | Moderate | Safe | |
| pH | 3 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 3 | — | 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.
Loading recent water news…