Well Water in Hoke County: What to Test and Why

Groundwater in Hoke County contains iron, pfos, and pfoa at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Iron shows moderate concentration, while pfos and pfoa are present at amounts of health concern and warrant attention from well owners.

Iron comes from the sand and clay layers that make up the aquifer system beneath this county. Pfos and pfoa are human-made chemicals that enter groundwater through contamination from industrial sources, firefighting foam, or waste sites. These chemicals persist in the environment and move slowly through the ground into drinking water supplies.

Groundwater in Hoke County is soft, with iron being the main mineral that stands out in the water. Iron concentrates here because the sand and clay aquifer naturally contains iron-bearing minerals that dissolve into water as it moves through the ground. Most wells in this county show at least some elevated iron, making it a common characteristic across the area.

Wells in Hoke County contain iron, PFOA, and PFOS at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Iron in drinking water can cause problems with your blood and organs over time. PFOA and PFOS are chemicals that build up in your body and can affect your immune system, thyroid, and liver. These contaminants come from different sources in the county, and exposure through drinking water is a concern for your family's health.

The moderate iron levels in county wells can stain your clothes, dishes, and plumbing fixtures with orange or brown marks. Iron can also give water a metallic taste and create rust-colored deposits in pipes and fixtures. The good news is that wells in this county are generally soft, so you won't deal with heavy mineral scale buildup that damages water heaters and other appliances.

We recommend testing your well water to find out what is actually in it, since every well is different and yours could have higher or lower levels than what is common here. A comprehensive water test that checks for metals and these specific chemicals costs between $200 and $400 and is the only way to know if treatment is needed. Iron removal systems and activated carbon filters can address these concerns once testing shows what you're dealing with.