Groundwater in Union County contains arsenic, radon, and PFOS that exceed EPA health standards. These contaminant levels are serious enough that your well should be tested and results reviewed with your water quality.
The crystalline rock that makes up this county's bedrock naturally releases arsenic as water moves through cracks and fractures. Radon forms from the natural decay of uranium in the rock and seeps into groundwater the same way. PFOS comes from industrial sources and improper disposal of contaminated materials that have entered the water supply.
Groundwater in this county is moderately hard, driven primarily by calcium and magnesium from the crystalline rock. As water percolates through this hard rock, it dissolves these minerals slowly over time. Most wells across Union County show similar moderate hardness levels.
Wells in Union County contain arsenic, PFOA, PFOS, and radon at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Arsenic is a poison that builds up in your body over time and can damage your kidneys, heart, and nervous system. PFOA and PFOS are industrial chemicals that accumulate in your blood and have been linked to serious health problems including cancer, liver damage, and immune system harm. Radon is a radioactive gas that you cannot see or smell, and breathing it over time increases your risk of lung cancer.
The water in Union County wells is moderately hard, which means you may notice some scale buildup on faucets and inside pipes, and your soap may not lather as easily as you would like. Hard water can shorten the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers. The good news is that iron, sodium, and sulfate levels are low in this county, so you are unlikely to experience staining, metallic taste, or other common mineral problems.
Because multiple contaminants exceed EPA health standards, a comprehensive testing panel is recommended to find out exactly what is in your well. Every well is different, and your water could have much higher or lower levels than what is common across the county. Testing is the only way to know what actually needs to be treated. A comprehensive metals and contaminants panel typically costs between $200 and $400. Treatment options like activated carbon filters, reverse osmosis, or aeration can address different contaminants based on what your test shows.
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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arsenic | 4 | 50% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Radon | 4 | 25% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 16 | 19% | Moderate | High | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 16 | 6% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Chloride | 4 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Fluoride | 4 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 16 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Iron | 4 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Lead | 4 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Manganese | 4 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Nitrate | 4 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Nitrite | 4 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 16 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 16 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Sulfate | 4 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Uranium | 4 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 4 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 16 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| pH | 4 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 4 | — | 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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