Groundwater in Carteret County contains chloride, lead, radon, iron, PFOS, and sulfate at levels that exceed EPA health standards. These contaminants are present at concerning levels that well owners should monitor and address.
Carteret County sits on the Atlantic Coastal Plain, where saltwater from the ocean pushes into coastal aquifers and raises chloride levels in wells near the shore. Lead and PFOS come from old pipes, plumbing, and industrial or military sites. Radon seeps naturally from rock and soil into groundwater. Iron occurs naturally in the sand and clay layers that hold the water here.
Groundwater in this county is very hard, driven by high calcium and magnesium that dissolve from the rock layers below. The coastal plain aquifer contains minerals that concentrate in water as it sits underground for years. Most wells in Carteret County show this very hard water character.
Wells in Carteret County commonly exceed EPA health standards for chloride, iron, lead, PFOS, radon, and sulfate. Lead can damage your kidneys and nervous system, especially in children. Radon is a radioactive gas that increases lung cancer risk when you breathe it over time. PFOS is a chemical that can affect your immune system and liver. Chloride and sulfate at high levels can harm people with certain heart or kidney conditions.
The extreme hardness in county wells causes real problems at home. You will see white scale buildup on faucets, showerheads, and inside pipes. Hard water makes soap less effective, leaves spots on dishes, and can make your skin feel dry. Most importantly, very hard water shortens the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers, costing you money on replacements and repairs.
We recommend testing your well as soon as possible because every well is different and yours may have higher or lower levels than what is common here. A comprehensive panel testing for metals, minerals, and contaminants runs $200 to $400 and is the only way to know what is actually in your water so you can treat it properly. Depending on your results, treatment options like water softening systems, carbon filters, or radon removal can help protect your family.
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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chloride | 91 | 66% | 33% · 2% · 65% | Moderate | High |
| Lead | 5 | 50% | 40% · 20% · 40% | Low | High ⓘ |
| Radon | 6 | 33% | 67% · 0% · 33% | Low | High ⓘ |
| Iron | 7 | 17% | 86% · 0% · 14% | Low | High ⓘ |
| Sulfate | 36 | 11% | 89% · 0% · 11% | Moderate | Moderate |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 36 | 8% | 92% · 0% · 8% | Moderate | Moderate |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 36 | 0% | 100% · 0% · 0% | Moderate | Safe |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 36 | 0% | 100% · 0% · 0% | Moderate | Safe |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 36 | 0% | 100% · 0% · 0% | Moderate | Safe |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 36 | — | 100% · 0% · 0% | Moderate | Safe |
| Manganese | 1 | 0% | 100% · 0% · 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ |
| Nitrate | 1 | 0% | 100% · 0% · 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ |
| pH | 15 | — | — | Moderate | Low |
| Sodium | 17 | — | — | Moderate | Low |
| E. coli | 1 | 0% | 100% · 0% · 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ |
| Fecal Coliform | 1 | 0% | 100% · 0% · 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ |
| Total Coliform | 1 | 0% | 100% · 0% · 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ |
| Nitrite | 1 | 0% | 100% · 0% · 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ |
| Hardness | 22 | — | — | Moderate | 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.
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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