Groundwater in Wythe County contains radon, arsenic, and chloride. Radon exceeds EPA health standards in this county's wells, while arsenic and chloride are present at levels below the standards.
Radon comes from natural radioactive decay in the carbonate rock beneath the county. Arsenic and chloride also occur naturally as water moves through limestone and other rock layers underground. The Valley and Ridge geology here creates pathways for these elements to enter groundwater.
Groundwater in this county is moderately hard, driven by calcium and magnesium dissolved from the limestone bedrock. This moderate hardness is common across wells throughout the county because of the carbonate rock that supplies most of the water.
Radon is found at levels above EPA health standards in wells across this county. Radon is a radioactive gas that comes from rocks underground. Breathing radon over many years increases the risk of lung cancer. Even though radon is invisible and has no taste or smell, it is a serious health concern that deserves attention.
The mineral content in county wells is modest. Your water should feel and taste normal. You should not see staining from iron or buildup of scale in pipes and appliances. Hard water in this county is moderate enough that most families do not experience problems with their water heaters or dishwashers.
We recommend testing your well water to find out what is actually in it. Every well is different, and your water could have higher or lower levels of radon and other contaminants than what is common here. A comprehensive panel costs between two hundred and four hundred dollars and will tell you exactly what needs treatment. Radon can be removed with aeration systems or activated carbon filters designed for this purpose.
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 | 4 | 25% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Arsenic | 5 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Chloride | 18 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Fluoride | 18 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 14 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| Iron | 16 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Lead | 5 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Manganese | 7 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Nitrate | 15 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrite | 15 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 14 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 14 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 14 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 14 | 0% | Low | Safe | |
| Sulfate | 18 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Uranium | 5 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| E. coli | 1* | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 18 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 14 | — | Low | Safe | |
| pH | 11 | — | Low | Low | |
| Sodium | 18 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Total Coliform | 1* | 0% | 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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