Well Water in Highland County: What to Test and Why

Arsenic and radon are the main contaminants present in Highland County groundwater that well owners should know about. Both exceed EPA health standards in this area, so testing your well for these contaminants is important.

These contaminants come from the rock itself. Arsenic occurs naturally in the bedrock beneath the county, and radon is a gas that seeps up from radioactive minerals in the stone. Chloride can also come from road salt or natural mineral deposits in the rock. Because of the local geology, these substances dissolve into groundwater as it moves through the earth.

Groundwater in this county is moderately hard, driven by calcium and magnesium from the rock minerals underground. The moderate hardness is typical across wells in Highland County because the bedrock contains these minerals naturally.

Wells in Highland County commonly have arsenic and radon at levels above EPA health standards. Arsenic exposure over time can increase your risk of cancer and cause problems with your skin, heart, and nerves. Radon is a radioactive gas that builds up in homes and can damage your lungs, especially with long-term exposure.

The good news is that mineral levels in county wells are generally low, so you probably won't see staining, scale buildup, or taste and odor problems from minerals. Your water should look and taste normal in most cases.

We recommend testing your well to find out what is actually in it, because every well is different and yours could have higher or lower levels than what is common in the county. A comprehensive testing panel for metals and radioactive substances costs between two hundred and four hundred dollars and is the only way to know if treatment is needed. Arsenic can be removed with special filters, and radon can be treated with aeration systems.