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-Press Release, Franklin County Government

The Franklin County Health Department responded to the report of potential radionuclides in wells on November 19, 2018, in a presentation to the Franklin County Board of Commissioners containing information on how citizens could have testing conducted.

The Franklin Times published this information during that week and information and instructions were placed on the Franklin County Health Department website.

In the 2018 presentation, it was noted that concern in Franklin stemmed from revised North Carolina Geological Survey Maps which show the Rolesville Granite Formation extending into a greater portion of Franklin County than was previously outlined in prior maps. As a result, the potential exists for more wells to be affected by the aging of this granite-formation, which can lead to naturally increased radionuclides in ground water.

Recent media coverage of Wake County’s notification to its citizens has generated a number of questions from Franklin County residents. So, what is Franklin County’s risk? Health concerns associated with elevated radionuclides in drinking water generally require prolonged exposure at highly elevated levels (in most cases over a lifetime) to have ill effects.

If you consume water from a well in Franklin County, visit the Health Department’s Environmental Health website for more information at https://www.franklincountync.us/services/health/services/environmental-health. Use the links in red to the “Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)” document to learn more about whether your well should be tested (including a link to an interactive map for Radon), what test(s) to use, and any potential health risks.

The Health Department has developed a comprehensive bundled-package of well-water radiological tests ($225) as well as less expensive options based on your well’s particular needs.

For additional information, please call the county’s Environmental Health Services Program at 919-496-8100 or visit https://www.franklincountync.us/services/health.