Well Water in Columbus County: What to Test and Why

Iron, manganese, nitrate, and chloride are present in Columbus County's groundwater and well owners should be aware of them. Several of these contaminants exceed EPA health standards, which means they warrant attention.

The sandy and clay layers that make up this coastal plain aquifer naturally contain iron and manganese that dissolve into the water. Nitrate and chloride come from agricultural activity and land use in the area, seeping down through the soil into the groundwater below.

Groundwater in this county is soft with moderate levels of iron and sodium as the main mineral drivers. The iron comes from natural breakdown of minerals in the sand and clay layers, while sodium occurs where saltwater has mixed with freshwater in this coastal setting. These mineral characteristics show up across many wells in the county.

Wells in Columbus County commonly contain chloride, iron, manganese, and nitrate at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Chloride at high levels can harm people with kidney disease or high blood pressure. Iron and manganese themselves are not toxic, but nitrate poses a real health risk, especially for babies and pregnant women, because it can interfere with how the body carries oxygen in the blood.

Wells in this county tend to be soft, which means you probably will not see the heavy scale buildup that occurs in harder water areas. However, the moderate iron content can leave reddish or brownish stains on laundry, plumbing fixtures, and sinks. You might notice a metallic taste or smell in the water from the iron and manganese.

We recommend testing your well water. Every well is different, and yours could have higher or lower levels than what is common in the county. A comprehensive metals and minerals panel costs between two hundred and four hundred dollars and is the only way to know exactly what is in your water so you can treat it properly. Iron filters and point-of-use systems can help address mineral concerns.