Groundwater in Currituck County contains manganese, iron, chloride, and sulfate. Several of these contaminants exceed EPA health standards, making them a concern for well owners in this area.
These metals and salts come from the sandy and clayey layers beneath the county. Iron and manganese dissolve naturally from the sediments as water moves slowly underground. Chloride and sulfate are old saltwater trapped in these layers from when the ocean covered this land long ago.
Groundwater in this county is hard, driven by elevated iron and calcium from the surrounding sediments. The sandy coastal plain geology here naturally concentrates these minerals as water filters through. Most wells in Currituck County show these characteristics.
Wells in Currituck County commonly contain chloride, iron, manganese, and sulfate at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Chloride at elevated levels can harm people with high blood pressure or heart disease. Iron and manganese can affect the nervous system and cause developmental problems in children with long-term exposure. Sulfate at high concentrations can cause digestive problems, especially in infants and people with certain health conditions.
The hard water in this county leaves visible stains on plumbing fixtures, laundry, and bathroom surfaces from iron and manganese buildup. You may notice a metallic or unpleasant taste in the water. Scale builds up inside pipes and on appliances, and the hardness shortens the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers. Rust-colored staining is common in sinks and on clothing washed in this water.
We recommend testing your well with a comprehensive metals and minerals panel, since multiple contaminants exceed health standards here. Your well's water quality is different from what is common in the county--testing is the only way to know what you actually have so you can treat it properly. A comprehensive panel typically costs between $200 and $400. Treatment options like iron removal systems and water softening can address these concerns.
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 | 3 | 100% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Iron | 38 | 84% | Moderate | High | |
| Chloride | 42 | 12% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Sulfate | 30 | 3% | Moderate |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Arsenic | 2 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Fluoride | 29 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 3 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Lead | 2 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Nitrate | 16 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrite | 3 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 3 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 3 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 3 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 3 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Uranium | 2 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 29 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| pH | 32 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 3 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 42 | — | 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.
* 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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