Well Water in Clark County: What to Test and Why

Groundwater in Clark County contains lead, chloride, and arsenic at levels that exceed health standards and warrant attention. Chloride and lead are the main contaminants of concern based on the data.

Lead enters groundwater through old pipes and plumbing materials, while chloride commonly comes from road salt applied during winter or from natural weathering of rock. Arsenic occurs naturally in certain rock types in this region and dissolves into the water as it moves underground.

Groundwater in this county is soft, defined by moderate iron as the main aesthetic character. Iron comes naturally from the rock layers that supply wells in this area. Soft water with moderate iron shows up across many wells in the county.

Chloride and lead show up at high levels in some wells across Clark County. Chloride at elevated levels can damage your kidneys and raise your blood pressure over time. Lead is especially dangerous for children and pregnant women--it can harm brain development and learning ability. Arsenic also appears in county wells and poses serious health risks with long-term exposure.

The good news is that Clark County's water is soft, so you won't deal with scale buildup on fixtures or shortened appliance lifespans. Your water heater and dishwasher should work normally without the wear that hard water causes. You probably won't notice staining, taste problems, or odor from minerals in this county's wells.

Every well is different, and yours could have higher or lower levels of these contaminants than what's common here. Testing is the only way to know what's actually in your water so you can treat it properly. We recommend a comprehensive metals and minerals panel to check for chloride, lead, and arsenic--this usually costs between $200 and $400. Treatment options like reverse osmosis or specialized filters can address these specific contaminants.