Groundwater in Franklin County contains arsenic, chloride, fluoride, iron, lead, manganese, nitrate, radon, and uranium, with several of these at levels that exceed EPA health standards. These contaminants are present at concentrations serious enough that well owners should test their water and take action if needed.
The carbonate limestone and other rocks beneath Franklin County naturally release these metals and minerals into groundwater as water moves through them. Radon comes from radioactive decay in the rock itself. Nitrate and chloride often enter groundwater from road salt, agricultural activity, and septic systems. Arsenic, lead, uranium, and manganese dissolve from the bedrock as slightly acidic groundwater passes through it over time.
Groundwater in this county is very hard, driven by elevated calcium and magnesium from the limestone below. This hardness is a direct result of how carbonate rock dissolves slowly as water percolates downward. Very hard water is the normal condition across most wells in Franklin County.
Wells in Franklin County exceed EPA health standards for several contaminants. Arsenic, lead, and uranium are metals that build up in your body over time and can damage your kidneys, bones, and increase cancer risk. Radon is a radioactive gas that collects in your lungs and raises the risk of lung cancer. Nitrate harms infants and chloride and fluoride at high levels create other health concerns. Manganese affects your nervous system, especially in children.
The very hard water in county wells leaves scale buildup on faucets and inside pipes, and it makes soap less effective for cleaning. Hard water can shorten the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers. You may notice spots on dishes and difficulty getting shampoo to lather.
We recommend a comprehensive water test to find out exactly what is in your well, since every well is different and yours may have higher or lower levels than the county average. Testing is the only way to know what needs treatment. A comprehensive metals and minerals panel costs between two hundred and four hundred dollars. Depending on your results, treatment options range from simple carbon filters to whole-house systems or point-of-use devices for specific contaminants.
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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manganese | 1078 | 20% | High | High | |
| Iron | 893 | 14% | High | Moderate | |
| Radon | 21 | 5% | Moderate |
Moderate
ⓘ
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Arsenic | 2019 | 3% | High | Low | |
| Lead | 3141 | 3% | High | Low | |
| Chloride | 1870 | 3% | High | Low | |
| Uranium | 1945 | 1% | High | Low | |
| Nitrate | 3063 | 1% | High | Low | |
| Fluoride | 2579 | 0% | High | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Nitrite | 3017 | 0% | High | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 8 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 702 | — | High | Low | |
| Sodium | 868 | — | High | Low | |
| pH | 950 | — | High | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 8 | — | Low | Safe ⓘ |
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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