Groundwater in Hertford County contains radon, iron, and manganese at concerning levels. Iron, manganese, nitrate, and radon all exceed EPA health standards in this county's wells.
These contaminants come from the natural breakdown of rock and soil beneath the surface. The sandy and clay layers of the Northern Atlantic Coastal Plain aquifer system release iron and manganese as water moves through them. Radon enters from radioactive minerals in the bedrock. Nitrate can seep in from septic systems and agricultural activities on the land above.
Groundwater in this county is soft with elevated sodium, driven by mineral salts that dissolve from the rock layers. The flat coastal plain geology allows water to sit in contact with these minerals for extended periods, concentrating them over time. These characteristics are found across many wells in Hertford County.
Wells in Hertford County contain iron, manganese, nitrate, and radon at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Iron and manganese do not cause immediate illness but can build up in your body over time and affect organ function. Nitrate is especially dangerous for infants and pregnant women, interfering with how blood carries oxygen. Radon is a radioactive gas that increases lung cancer risk when breathed in over many years.
County well water tends to have elevated sodium, which can affect how water tastes and feels. The moderate iron levels create orange or brown staining on fixtures, laundry, and plumbing. You may notice a metallic or bitter taste in your water. The good news is that this county's water is relatively soft, so you won't face the scale buildup and shortened appliance lifespans that affect harder-water areas.
We recommend a comprehensive metals and minerals panel to find out exactly what is in your well, since every well is different and yours could have higher or lower levels than what is common here. Testing costs between two hundred and four hundred dollars and is the only way to know what treatment your family actually needs. Iron filters and radon mitigation systems are effective options for addressing 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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Radon | 1 | 100% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Iron | 34 | 35% | Moderate | High | |
| Manganese | 30 | 23% | Moderate | High | |
| Nitrate | 38 | 3% | Moderate | Low | |
| Arsenic | 5 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Chloride | 43 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Fluoride | 41 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 40 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Lead | 5 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Nitrite | 7 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 40 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 40 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 40 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 40 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Sulfate | 42 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Uranium | 5 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| E. coli | 1* | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 43 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 40 | — | Moderate | Safe | |
| pH | 37 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Sodium | 20 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Total Coliform | 1* | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ |
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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