Groundwater in Lenoir County contains iron, lead, and PFOS at levels that exceed EPA health standards. These contaminants are present at concerning levels that well owners should address.
Iron comes from the sandy and clay layers that make up the aquifer underneath this county. Lead and PFOS enter groundwater through separate pathways: lead from old plumbing and soil minerals, and PFOS from industrial use and fire-fighting foam at airports and military sites. Both can persist in groundwater for years.
Groundwater in this county is soft, but iron is present at moderate levels. Iron concentrates here because the sand and clay rocks naturally release it as water moves through them. Most wells in this county show some iron, though the amount varies from well to well.
Wells in Lenoir County show contamination with several chemicals that exceed EPA health standards. PFOS and PFOA are industrial chemicals that can build up in your body over time and harm your immune system and liver. Lead damages the brain and nervous system, especially in children, and radon is a radioactive gas that increases lung cancer risk when you breathe it in over years. Chloride at high levels can affect people with heart or kidney problems.
Iron in county wells causes orange or brown staining on plumbing fixtures, laundry, and dishes. You may notice a metallic taste in your water or see rusty buildup in toilets and sinks. The good news is that Lenoir County's water is relatively soft, so you won't experience heavy scale buildup in pipes and appliances like homeowners in harder-water areas do.
Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your well. We recommend a comprehensive water panel since multiple contaminants exceed health standards in this county. Every well is different, and your water could have higher or lower levels than what is common here. A comprehensive metals and chemical panel typically costs $200 to $400 and will guide treatment options like activated carbon filters or ion exchange systems.
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 ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iron | 62 | 29% | Moderate | High | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 85 | 21% | Moderate | High | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 85 | 14% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Manganese | 57 | 4% | Moderate |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Nitrate | 65 | 3% | Moderate |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Arsenic | 10 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| Chloride | 70 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Fluoride | 65 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 85 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Lead | 10 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| Nitrite | 20 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 85 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 85 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Radon | 5 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 70 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Uranium | 12 | 0% | Low | Low | |
| E. coli | 2* | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 70 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 85 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| pH | 74 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Sodium | 51 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Total Coliform | 2* | 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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