Well Water in Carbon County: What to Test and Why

Groundwater in Carbon County contains radon, pfna, arsenic, and several other contaminants that exceed federal health standards. These levels are serious enough that well owners should test their water and consider treatment.

The carbonate bedrock beneath this county naturally contains radon, which forms from radioactive elements deep in the rock and dissolves into groundwater moving through cracks and fractures. Arsenic and pfna sit naturally in the rock and soil, and pfna also comes from industrial and firefighting activities. Sulfate builds up as water slowly contacts minerals in the limestone and dolomite below.

Groundwater in this county is soft with low iron and low sulfate, meaning the water has minimal mineral character. The carbonate rock here does not contribute heavy concentrations of hardness-causing minerals. These relatively clean mineral conditions are common across wells in the county, though the health contaminants radon and arsenic remain a concern independent of water hardness.

Wells in Carbon County commonly contain arsenic, lead, and several types of PFOA chemicals (PFOS, PFOA, PFNA, and PFHXS) at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Arsenic exposure over many years can increase cancer risk and harm the kidneys and nervous system. Lead is especially dangerous for children and can affect brain development and learning. PFOA chemicals build up in your body over time and have been linked to health problems including kidney and liver damage and immune system effects. Radon, a radioactive gas, also exceeds health standards in county wells and increases lung cancer risk when you breathe it in over the long term.

The good news is that the mineral content in wells here is generally mild. The water is soft, so you won't see the thick white scale buildup that plagues other counties. Iron levels are low, which means you won't notice rust stains on your sinks and laundry. The taste and odor of your water should not be affected by minerals.

We recommend testing your well because multiple serious contaminants exceed health standards here, and every well is different--your water could have higher or lower levels than what is common in the county. Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your well so you can treat it properly. We suggest a comprehensive metals and minerals panel that includes testing for arsenic, lead, PFOA chemicals, and radon, which typically costs $200-400. Treatment options like activated carbon filtration and aeration systems can address many of these contaminants.