Well Water in Transylvania County: What to Test and Why

Radon, arsenic, and chloride are present in Transylvania County groundwater. Radon is the only contaminant exceeding EPA health standards here, while arsenic and chloride are detected at levels below those thresholds.

Radon comes from the breakdown of radioactive elements naturally present in the crystalline rock beneath the county. Arsenic and chloride also occur naturally in this bedrock and can dissolve into groundwater as it moves through fractures and spaces in the rock. The presence of these elements reflects the geology of the Piedmont and Blue Ridge region rather than pollution from human activity.

Groundwater in this county is soft, with very low concentrations of the minerals that typically make water hard. The crystalline rock here does not release large amounts of calcium and magnesium into the water the way limestone does in other regions. Most wells in Transylvania County show this same soft-water character.

Radon is the main health concern in wells across Transylvania County. This radioactive gas comes from rocks and soil underground and can build up in well water. Breathing radon gas that escapes from water during daily use raises the risk of lung cancer over time. Testing is the best way to find out if radon is in your well.

The good news is that wells in this county are generally soft and low in minerals like sodium and sulfate. You should not have problems with water staining, scale buildup on fixtures, or shortened appliance lifespans from hardness. Your water experience should be pretty straightforward without those common quality-of-life headaches.

We recommend testing your well for radon since it exceeds health standards in county wells. Every well is different, and your water could have more or less radon than what is common here. Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your well and whether treatment is needed. Radon can be removed with aeration systems or activated carbon filters designed for radon.